1.0
Humming a simple tune to herself, Collei hopped her way down the path to her home.
She'd made great progress on her letter to Amber today, and the Traveler had promised to spend time with her when she arrives in Port Ormos tomorrow!
She couldn't wait! Maybe, the Traveler would like to add their own note to Amber in her letter?
Pursing her lips, Collei watered the plant she kept outside her home and rushed inside to make a note of her idea. At the very least, she could offer!
Though, she may need more paper if she planned for the Traveler to include a message. Collei grimaced at the thought, nervously glancing at her desk, the near complete letter innocently left in sight for all to see.
Tomorrow would certainly be a busy day; did she even have the time?
Shaking her head, Collei laid down in bed. She'd just have to ask after Tighnari's opinion in the morning before either of them left Gandharva Ville for patrol.
1.1
Collei's morning wasn't as productive as she'd been expecting it to be. In fact, it was pretty unlucky.
She'd somehow misplaced her letter to Amber, which she could've sworn she'd left on her desk. Her plant that the Traveler had helped move outside for her had been moved back indoors, and it seemed someone had changed her patrol route. She could clearly recall she'd been meant to escort Darina to Port Ormos for some trading, and to visit Rani and the Traveler, but when she'd asked, Darina had laughed and told her that that wasn't for at least another month.
Had it been changed, and someone had forgotten to tell her? But Darina had confirmed yesterday that they'd be going around midday... Oh, what should she tell the Traveler? They were likely waiting for her, she didn't want to leave them alone at the port. They were so busy, and they'd taken time out of their day to be with her! Should she go anyways? But then Tighnari would be upset, her trip had only been approved because she wouldn't be alone.
Hearing a commotion nearby, Collei drew up a shaky hand to grip her vision as she watched a crowd form by the entrance to Gandharva Ville.
Tighnari was back? So soon… Had she slept in, or had something happened?
Stumbling over to the forming crowd, hand flying to cover her mouth, Collei let out a gasp.
Tighnari was carrying the Traveler through Gandharva Ville, an odd, pinched expression on his face as he commanded the people around him and swiftly made his way past them all.
Eyes darting, Collei searched for someone in the crowd who'd be able to explain what was happening, and her eyes locked on Ashpazi and a groggy looking Farbod.
"Farbod!" Collei jogged up to him and Ashpazi. "What happened to Aether? How'd he get hurt?"
Was this her fault? Had the Traveler come looking for her when she hadn't arrived in Port Ormos, and they'd gotten injured?
"Not sure. Tighnari's just gotten back... Say, is that the boy's name?" Farbod frowned down at her. "I've never seen him around."
"What..." Colle furrowed her brow, eyes flickering to where Tighnari was. "I don't..."
Was it a joke? Farbod had met the Traveler, they'd spoken with him on their way to check the lanterns on the paths.
"Did you meet him on patrol, Collei?" Ashpazi queried, leaning around Farbod to look at her. "You went out on that long one the other day, right?"
She hadn't. The last patrol she'd been on alone was when she'd helped Rani. That was over a week ago. The last long patrol had been...
"Collei, are you feeling faint?" Amir questioned as he approached them all, gently guiding her to sit down, with a concerned frown. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know what happened, she seemed mostly fine until we started talking about that faint boy."
"Collei does know his name, it's only natural she'd care for a friend who's hurt."
Struggling to breathe, Collei gripped Amir's arm tightly, unable to do much else.
"Your pulse-!" Turning, he commanded Ashpazi to fetch Umm.
Catching a glimpse of golden hair, Collei thinks of a missing letter and a flower hidden from sunlight as the world tilts, and she knows no more.
"Collei!"
1.2
Collei sighed as she made her way up the steps to Tighnari's room.
She didn't really understand it, but this had been the 4th time she'd woken up back in bed, that poor flower trapped indoors. Her letter, forever incomplete.
Time was repeating itself. Somehow. No matter any changes she made, everything was back to normal once the repeat started.
Biting her lip, Collei lowered her head. She knew there was a better word for it. But she didn't know it, shouldn't she know it? It was a basic, simple word. There's a term for repeating time, every child of Sumeru would know it. Collei doesn't.
Hearing the faint sound of Paimon and Tighnari's voices, alongside a faint, mechanical whirl, Collei stopped walking.
Was she being punished? Divine judgement?
Right now, she wanted nothing more than to hide in her room, Baron Bunny hugged tight to her chest.
Should she ask Tighnari? Would he believe her? She thought she could handle it alone, but...
Lifting her gaze, Collei crossed the final steps to Tighnari's room.
"Master, I-Karkata!" Collei tripped backwards, wide eyes locked on the mechanical creature that Paimon hovered around.
"Collei, you're here." Tighnari smiled, easily balancing her. "I was just about to start looking for you. It's been a while since you've seen Karkata, right? I swung by Pardis Dhyai, figured it'd be a nice surprise."
"But Karkata shouldn't-" Collei stammered mindlessly as Tighnari guided her back out of the room and down the path.
Had something changed? There'd been some small differences in other repeats, but nothing like this!
And the traveller, they looked fine. Was it because she went over later in the evening?
"Collei?"
She blinked, insides twisting as she realised they were back in her room now, seated on her bed, with Tighnari's tail held in her grasp.
"No need to worry about our sweet, ever-changing Traveler. They've already agreed to stay the extra days necessary." Tighnari sighed, leaning back on his hands. "I do hope they're not too disoriented when they wake up in the morning. It'll be difficult to have to repair Karkata and attract the attention of the Matra so soon."
"Master, you're..." Collei's hands trembled as she automatically stroked the fur of his tail. It wasn't as fluffy as she'd dreamt, but still felt like plush clouds. "Are you-"
"How's the loop been for you? Or, well, repeat, I suppose." Chuckling, he raised his gaze upwards. "If I wasn't experiencing it myself for so long, I'd be sure this was a hallucination. "
"It's not been so good." Collei murmured, eyes watering as she listened to Tighnari speak.
"Understandable, it's a lot to take in. Something like this has never been recorded anywhere that I'm aware of." He paused, a flash of melancholy appearing in his eyes. "Still, it's an opportunity for more research, if anything."
"Master, h-have you been here the whole time." Collei's eyes darted around, trying to understand the words he was speaking so easily. Had he left her thinking she was alone. Was his research more important. "This whole time I thought I was alone, you were-"
"Collei." Tighnari lightly tugged her into his embrace. "That line of thought you're having, stop it."
"B-But I-" Collei hiccupped, her tears beginning to fall freely as she shook in his embrace.
"It's true, I've been here, but you haven't." Tighnari guided her hand to continue stroking his fur when she found herself too stiff to continue alone. "Tell me, how many times have you been through this."
"Four," Collei furrowed her brow, thoughts calming the slightest bit as she focused on speaking clearly. "The first time, I didn't know what was happening. And... And last time... last time..." Collei's tears started anew as she whispered, "Last time, I didn't wake up."
Stilling, Tighnari tightened his grip on her as he sighed. "I did always tell you to be careful."
"sorry."
"I'm sorry too." Shaking his head, Tighnari reached up to stroke Collei's hair. "This is my fourth time as well, and each time, I've brought Karkata back here. Tell me, have you ever seen Karkata in my room before?"
Collei mutely shook her head as much as she could, the movement weak.
"I suspected as much. Now then, with this being the case, I'm beginning to believe we've been through this the same amount of times. Only, we've have been doing so within alternate spaces of reality. Co-existing." Tail swishing slightly, he continues with a thoughtful frown. "Unfortunately, I don't know much else with the data collected thus far."
Collei slumped further into Tighnari's side, hands now steady as they stroked his fur.
Not even Tighnari knew what was happening, and yes, that was bad. But Collei wasn't alone, her Master was here, comforting her. Keeping her safe.
"Collei, I promise, I won't ever put you in harms way for the sake of some silly research." Tighnari pat her on the head, a soft smile on his face as she gazed up at him. "It's over now. You can rest. If at the end of this loop, it continues, you won't be alone. We'll be together from now on. This, I'm certain of."
"Thank you, Master." Collei reached around him and hugged him tightly, her eyes beginning to droop.
"Hey, Collei." His voice echoed around her. "It's called a Time Loop."
1.3
As Paimon spun, floating in a circle around Lumine, who was cleaning the Statue of Sumeru's Archon, her eyes caught sight of something weird in a bush, half-hidden behind the statue.
Shrugging, Paimon hesitantly floated closer and peered into the bush, where large purple eyes stared unblinkingly back at her, a sharp, monstrous grin glinting in the shadows.
"BOO!"
"WAH!" Paimon screamed, flying back behind a bemused Lumine to hide.
Laughing, Collei stepped out of the bush. "Hi, Traveller!"
"Collei, you made it up here?" Lumine raised a brow, idly poking Paimon's cheek.
"Yeah, it's amazing!" Collei grinned as she prepared her wind glider. "I've never made it up here without any help before, but I feel great!"
"You meanie!" Paimon cried out as she hugged the Travelers hand. "Who knew Collei could be so mean."
"Aw, I'm sorry, Paimon." Passing a Pita Pocket to Paimon in apology, Collei leapt of the small cliff, wind glider deployed. "I'll make it up to you if you beat me in a race back! Unlimited food!"
With those parting words, Collei laughed freely as she glided away, back home to Gandharva Ville.
The loops hadn't ended, but they were much better now that Tighnari was with her. She got to explore so many parts of the forest she hadn't before, and her illness hadn't acted up at all, or, well, it had, but never as bad as it used to!
To think, she even got to help out with a withering zone and repairs on Karkata.
"Collei!" Tighnari's voice called out to her.
Yelping, Collei swerved. Performing a shaky landing at the entrance of Gandharva Ville, she sprinted up the path to meet him.
"Good afternoon, Master." Panting, she leaned against a wall. "Y-you're back early."
"You know, you really shouldn't be exerting yourself." Tighnari commented, arms crossed.
"But Master! I've never had so much strength before." Flushing, she fiddled with her vison. "I feel much better now."
"And I understand that. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, truly." Tighnari sighed, leading her up the winding pathway. "I just need you to understand. Collei, you can't make this a habit. If you do, you could end up using more energy than may be possible in the future."
Collei frowned sadly, hand resting against her hip. She could almost physically feel the different texture of her skin even through her clothing.
"Now, now, don't look so down." Tighnari tapped her on the nose, making her go cross-eyed. "I'm not only here to give you depressing news. I have a special trip planned for us."
Gasping gleefully, Collei grasped Tighnari's hand. "Are we going back to Port Ormos?"
"Aha, no." Tighnari loosened her grip. "Actually, seeing as this is our third loop together, and we haven't gained any new information, I'm going to take you to Sumeru City."
"What?" Eyes blown wide, Collei felt her heart stutter. She hadn't been there in such a long time. "We're really going?"
"Yes, I'm thinking around the Sabzeruz Festival, if you'd like? You can attend the festival while I conduct an... investigation."
Grinning, Collei cheerfully agreed. "I wonder what the festival will be like."
"Collei."
"Yes, Master?"
"Where's the Traveler?"
"…Oops."
1.4
Tighnari's hand hovered over Collei's form, his gaze troubled as with each shallow breath, her lithe frame trembled.
"I'm not sure if I can fully comprehend what you're saying." He spoke up, shaking his head as he looked at his new companion.
"In all honesty, I think I can say the same." Nahida, currently in the body of Katheryne, smiled slightly, nimble hands distractedly stroking the leaf of a nearby plant. "This reality you and your companion have found yourselves lost within, for you to be repeating events in a seemingly endless loop... I don't believe I've ever heard of an account quite like this."
"So even a being such as yourself is left unaware." Tighnari mused to himself, glancing at Nahida. "What about this festival, what are your thoughts of that?"
"I'd never expected the Sages to go this far. I've left Sumeru, my dominion, to them..." Nahida tilted her head to the prone forms of Dunyarzad and Collei. "That was unwise of me. I know, I can never measure up to the likes of the other archons, to be all powerful and all seeing. But even so, I should at least have the power to stop my followers from being carelessly put in harm's way. When the Sabzeruz festival ends, I'll start to investigate the matter as discreetly as possible."
"Thank you." Tighnari reached out to brush Collei's hair out of her face. "How's the Travelers progress? Is it almost over?"
"They haven't found out enough information." Nahida shook her head, Katheryne's eyes shining with emotion. "I'm worried it's getting too close to the end. Collei's condition is relatively stable, but Dunyarzad..." Raising a hand to block the shining sunlight, Nahida smiled with determination. "It'll be enough, it must be. They'll make it out, every single person that attended my celebration, they'll live. And then... then next time, you can share your story."
"I'm flattered you care so much about our problems." Tighnari chuckled, "Despite being aware this will all repeat once more, honestly, you truly love your people."
"I... I know I'm nothing like the other archons. I can't even begin to call myself an archon, not for a long time." Nahida smiled widely, the plants around her blooming. "But these are my people, and this is my world. While I'm not the archon many want, I will do better!"
"If it's worth anything, my lord." Grasping Katheryne's cold hand, Tighnari spoke softly to Nahida. "I believe, you are a truly caring god. You'll blossom in the role of our archon, both as Kusanali, and as Nahida. I'll tell you this as many times as needed, no matter the loop."
1.5
Nilou wandered around the festival grounds in a slight daze, eyes drifting between each and every person. It was wonderful, to see her dream come to life. Seeing all these people coming together to celebrate Lesser Lord Kusanali, she hoped their Lord could hear their well wishes, to know how much her people cherished her.
"Oof-!" Nilou was shook from her thoughts when she bumped into a young girl with lovely green hair. "I'm sorry, are you alright?"
"Ah, yes! I'm perfectly fine, thank you." The girl beamed at her with a kind, almost nervous smile.
She truly had wonderful hair, paired with near magenta eyes shining with such expressive emotion. Based on her attire, she was a forest ranger? To think, word of the Sabzeruz festival would spread so far, they were truly making a change this year.
"That's good. Are you enjoying the festivities?" Nilou queried, one arm spread wide to gesture towards the many tributes to their god. "It's been a long time since it's been so grand."
"It's amazing!" The girl flushed, smile widening. "You all did such a good job, Nilou."
"You know me?" Nilou blinked. Had she attended one of Nilou's performances before? Nilou didn't recognise the girl.
"Im quite the fan, and I guess I've been to multiple performances." The girl giggled. "I usually go to see the same dance."
"Oh." Nilou resisted the urge to tug on a strand of hair in thought. The same performance, was she a fan of a specific dance? "If you don't mind me asking, I'd love to hear what your favourite performance is."
The girl giggled again, eyes shining brightly as her grin turned mischievous. "The Dance of Sabzeruz, of course."
"STOP RIGHT THERE!"
Tighnari paused, briefly glancing over his shoulder at the many guards approaching at high speeds, weapons at the ready.
"They might lock me up, this time." Tighnari winced with an awkward chuckle, before shifting his stance. "Ready for the jump?"
Looking over the edge of the Divine Tree, Nahida tapped her cheek. "I don't exactly think there's any going back now, is there?" Grasping Tighnari's hand, she gave a light tug. "After we exchange our knowledge, I'd like to… do more." Nahida's voice trailed off into a whisper, her eyes slowly taking in the many sights of her home.
"Aha, maybe next time!" Tighnari grimaced as the two jumped, the urgent voices behind them becoming lost to the wind as they glided away, his grip on her hand tightening. "Maybe this time, we can come up with a better plan for getting you out unnoticed."
Nahida voiced out her vague agreement, her smile ever so soft as her hair swayed in the wind. Gliding over her home, she couldn't help but feel her very being sing, and plants around Teyvat bloomed.
"One day, you'll blossom into the role as our archon."
1.6
"Master, look!" Collei spun in a circle, the object in her hands, a flower crown filled with Lotuses, held up high to Celestia above.
"Where'd you get that from, Collei?" Tighnari hummed as he stopped Collei from almost falling over, "Careful."
"Thank you." Collei placed the circlet on her head. "Nilou made it for me at the last Sabzeruz festival, and look, it's still here!"
"How intriguing." Tighnari leaned in, poking at the flower crown. "How'd this happen?"
"Umm, sorry Master, Im not really sure." Collei furrowed her brow. "I left it in my sub-space at the end of the last l-loop, and it was still there when I woke up this time."
"Well." Tighnari pulled out a sheet of paper, jotting down some ideas. "If I had to make a guess, our sub-spaces are formed through our visions. Only vision users have them, and visions are incredibly personal to each bearer. They can be considered as… a direct link to our soul? Us as a person…" Tighnari's face scrunched up, tail lashing. "This isn't my area of expertise."
"If… If visions can be considered… a part of us." Collei placed a hand over her heart. "Then if we're repeating time, but not… not our bodies, then wouldn't our visions come with us. Or, maybe, our souls are what's looping, so… uhm." She trailed off, hand clenching. "I didn't really think that through."
"No, no, no, no." Tighnari spun, grasping her shoulders. "That's perfect, Collei, keep thinking like that." His hands moved to rest on both of their visions. "Our visions are a part of us, indeterminably linked to us. If we consider our loops as our souls being what's sent back, not our bodies, then it'd be natural to assume the core of our visions is returning with us as well!"
"And because our sub-spaces are apart of our visions, then that'd come back too!" Collei rocked on her heels, grinning wildly. "So we can keep things from other loops, that's great!" Pointing at Tighnari, Collei pulled a near-smirk. "Imagine how much more work you can get done, Master."
Groaning, Tighnari lightly pushed her as he went to note down their findings. "If the contents of this book remain in the next loop, our theory will be at least somewhat accurate, at least until we can gather more data."
As Tighnari wrote, the room was left in silence, until a knock sounded against the wooden wall.
"Excuse me."
Looking towards the entryway, Collei's hand automatically flew up to her flower crown as she took in the new arrival.
"Nilou?!"
"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you both officially." Nilou took a step further into the room, "I've been feeling rather disoriented lately, and the blooming flowers have guided me to you for aid."
Eyebrows shooting upwards, Tighnari snorted. "Nice meeting you, Nilou."
Collei stammered out her own greeting as Nilou turned her gaze towards the flower crown around her head.
"You kept it, I'm glad." Nilou clapped her hands, a sweet smile on her face. "It's nice to meet you again, Collei. It seems that the blooming flowers have guided me to see you once more." Walking over to Collei, she clasped their hands together. "With that in mind, would you like to attend the festival once more, and watch me dance?"
1.0 The final night before the loop begins, what simple times those were.
1.1 Collei's first loop, the beginning of it all!
1.2 Collei's having a hard time understanding, but she's not alone anymore.
1.3 Look at her go! Brimming with energy, Collei can't wait for the festival!
1.4 Well... at least now, they know what happens at the Sabzeruz festival...?
1.5 Breaking and Entering, I'll be borrowing the archon from house arrest!
1.6 Welcome to the loops, Nilou! Did Nahida guide you here?
They should really update the character tags for genshin on here, Sumeru characters just don't exist.
