AN: No beta we die like hilichurls


It was a wonderful, sunny day in Mondstadt. The grass was swaying to the winds, the gentle kiss of the breeze, and the birds were close to being cooked alive.

Yes, you read that right. Today, on this very lovely morning, occurred one of Mondstadt's most vicious heat waves. The people of Mondstadt were at a loss on what to do. Most of the heat drained them of their energy and preferred to stay home. But inside their homes could also be just as if not hotter than the outside. Most were lost on what to do, and some took to simply bearing the heat and forced themselves to do their duties.

"Hello there! Welcome to Moment Maid Fresh, where everything is made fresh in but a moment. What will you have?"

"One lemonade, please. Extra ice and sugar."

"Coming right up."

But not Noelle! The second she heard about the heatwave, she immediately sprung into action. What better way to cool down than to enjoy a refreshing beverage? And she knew just what beverage she needed.

Lemonade! And so she built her own little comfy stall right outside of the gate of Mondstadt, just past the bridge. She got the materials and built them herself from the ground up.

"Phew, thanks, Noelle," the girl wearing an outrider's uniform intensely sipped at her straw.

"Please slow down, Miss Amber. You might get a-"

"Ow."

"-brain-freeze." Noelle winced as the outrider put the cup down on the counter and cradled her head.

"Right, right, I'm sorry," she smiled through the pain. "It's just after a while of running around in this heat, this was just what the doctor ordered." she shook off the brain freeze and took another sip, this time slower.

"I'm happy to hear that, but please take care of yourself," Noelle advised. "Take a rest under some shade and hydrate plenty."

Amber chuckled as she nodded. "I'll take your word for it, especially that part about resting," she sighed. "This heat won't stop me from doing my thing, but darn if it doesn't make it difficult."

"Do you need assistance, Miss Amber?"

She shook her head. "No need. You just keep doing your thing here at the lemonade stand. Barbatos knows a lot of people will be needing a pick-me-up in this heat," she double-checked her equipment, before stopping in her tracks and raising an eyebrow to Noelle. "And what have I said about calling me 'Miss Amber'?"

Noelle blinked. "But… I haven't earned that right yet."

Amber groaned. "Oh come on! We're practically the same age! Now I understand you calling Lisa-, uh I mean, other people that way, but I've told you time and time again that you can just call me Amber!"

Noelle scratched his cheek. "But, I've already told you why, Miss Amber. Until I've earned it, I will continue to address you as you should be addressed."

It took everything she had not to groan once more. Why couldn't the maid in front of her just see that she already earned that right a long time ago? It didn't even need to be earned! 'Her stubbornness matched her vision.' She thought.

"One of these days, Noelle. I will have you call me Amber. Just you wait!" Amber put a few mora into a jar on the stall and sped off, drink in hand. "Thanks for the drink! I'll come back for more later if I feel like it!"

"Please take care!" Noelle waved. Only when she couldn't see the outrider anymore did she stop waving.

'Now, what to do?'

It was still early, and it wasn't getting any cooler. The only reason why she stayed cool was that she built her stall to have adequate shade for her, a dozen containers of ice she had around her, and the mist flower corollas that she had.

Regardless, even when no one was currently asking for lemonade, she still chose to work and take inventory.

'I still have plenty of lemons, some sunsettias, sweet flowers, mint, plenty of honey, though I might need to go out and get more ice,' Amber wasn't the only one who asked for extra ice with her beverage. And although she still had plenty, they would inevitably run out as soon as people started pouring in.

Nodding to herself, she stood up and took out a sign that read 'Will be back in a moment.' and placed it on the counter.

Right now would most likely be the optimal time to get more ice. No matter if someone came by, they would still find her already back, ready to serve them. It would just take her a moment after all.


That earlier decision to get more ice was a very wise one. The demand for an abundance of ice that came with their drink never stopped, but it didn't hinder her. She kept serving people with a smile. Though she did add a new addition to her menu, ice cream! Made by hers truly, of course. Noelle felt that since it was her stall, she would be responsible for everything she sold.

"Can I have three scoops of berry ice cream, please? On a cone."

"Certainly! Here you are."

"Hi! Can I get two scoops of mint and wolf hook ice cream? Oooh, and can you put sprinkles and a cherry on top?"

"Of course!"

"I don't feel like holding a cone but I do want some ice cream. Any chance you have a cup?"

"Yes, that is possible. I can simply use the cup for lemonade and give you a little spoon."

"Awesome! That's perfect. Thanks, Noelle."

Though she had significantly more people going to her stall now. Some of them felt like having something that wasn't lemonade.

"Uhm, I don't feel like having lemonade, do you have other fruit juice?"

"Perfectly fine. I have an assortment of fruits available. Sunsettias, wolfhooks, valberries, apples, and berries."

"Uhh…"

"If you're having trouble deciding, perhaps I can blend them all together at the right ratios and give you a Mondstadt Special?"

"Woah, that sounds really good. Okay! I trust you, Noelle."

This was more than what she initially thought she was doing. Noelle admired how people like Master Diluc and Miss Diona do what they do at their respective businesses. So many people and so many of them liked their drinks in so many different ways. But she had to admit, seeing the smiles on her customer's faces was a treat, almost as sweet as her products.

Noelle wiped the sweat off her brow as she breathed. Albeit slightly fatigued from all of the questions, concerns, and requests she had to entertain, she was having fun. But that didn't make it any less tiring, even for the wondermaid.

"You're doing pretty well for yourself, consider me very impressed, Noelle," a haughty voice called out to her. "If I didn't know any better I'd think you were trying to steal my customers from me."

"Oh, absolutely not, Miss Diona. I would never." Noelle immediately denied.

Said cat-person chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm only kidding. You make it so easy to tease you."

Noelle pouted. "I just didn't want you to have that idea."

"You're too nice for that. I bet you don't even have a single bone in your body capable of sabotage," she sighed. "A shame really, you would've made a great co-conspirator."

Noelle wisely chose not to entertain that train of thought. "Welcome to Moment Maid Fresh, Miss Diona. Are you here for a chat or will you be having something?"

Diona smiled. "Lucky for you I'll be doing both! I'll take four scoops of ice cream on a cone!"

Noelle nodded as she assembled the ice cream. "What would you like those four scoops to be?"

"What flavors do you have?"

"Let's see… I have berry, mint, wolfhook, sunsettias, and apple ice cream. In addition to several toppings including honey, sprinkles, and cone bits. Oh, and also an assortment of fruits if you want those with it."

Diona was surprised. "That's a lot of stuff you got back there," she put her hands on the counter and stood on her toes in an attempt to view what was behind Noelle.

Noelle smiled and shook her head. "One must always be prepared. In fact, I would've been able to procure more had I the time too, but it's difficult when at any time people can come."

Diona snickered. "Don't worry. Take it from a bartender, you're doing great."

The maid bowed. "I am honored."

"O-Of course, you should be!" Diona huffed with pride. "My four scoops will be a scoop of berry, two scoops of apple, and one mint on top! Oh, and sprinkles please!"

"Certainly! It'll take just a moment."

Diona left her be for a while as she let her eyes wander the humble stall. The stall wasn't didn't have anything special, it was simply made of wood. But what made it special was the board to the right of her.

On the board were written several compliments left by her happy customers. Saying their thanks, providing their compliments, a couple of doodles, and some even advertised their own establishments.

The person above me needs to cool their heads and get an actual job - Bruce

The person below me needs to go and do their job - Hertha

Both of you need to do your jobs - Huffman

Diona snickered. Who knew the Knights of Favonius had their funny moments. Though she didn't like Bruce, she heard he was a drinker.

"Here you are!"

Diona smiled wide. "Thanks!"

Noelle bent down and put a hand on her head as she smiled lovingly. "Let me know if you need anything else, okay?"

"Okay~" before Diona shook her head and hissed. "H-Hey! I'm not a child!" She hated it when people treated her like one. She was petite. 'Petite, I say!' She was tired of pretty much everyone treating her like a kid and it annoyed her to no end.

"O-Oh, I apologize," Noelle's case was different from theirs though. Whereas the others did it for fun, or to tease her, the maid seemed to be completely unaware of her actions and did it unconsciously. "I've been talking to a lot of children recently and I treated you like one by instinct."

"Hmmph." Diona had some of her ice cream.

Mmm, sweet.

She was lucky her ice cream was gre- decent! She was going to say decent! And her good mood came right back.

"I forgive you," she said. "And yeah no kidding. You and your stall here are the talks of the town."

Noelle blushed. "Really?"

Still focused on the ice cream, Diona let out a sound of agreement. "Just about everyone is waiting for their shift to finish so they can come by before you close up," she said. "Though I only knew you sold ice cream just a few minutes ago, it's why I decided to come by."

"Yes. I thought selling only Lemonade would've been too little, and I decided to also include Ice Cream," she spoke with pride. "It's more effective than I initially thought."

"It's a very hot day. Name one person who wouldn't want a cold glass of lemonade, or a couple of scoops of ice cream?"

"I guess that's true." Noelle giggled.

"Though I have to ask, why a lemonade stand?" the cat-girl inquired.

Noelle adopted a thinking pose. "Well, I wanted to do something more active than stand in a stall and serve people drinks, but my initial ideas were shot down by Master Jean," she sighed. "At first, I wanted to bring people from Mondstadt to Dragonspine to cool off in batches."

Diona paused. Did she hear that right?

"She told me it would be dangerous, I told her I'd protect them. She told me how they would even get there, and I gave her my schematics for a rickshaw that could fit twenty people at a time."

Say what? "T-T-Twenty people?!"

"Yes, twenty people." she noticed Diona's shocked and concerned expression. "But don't worry. I can handle it. The weight of five or twenty people doesn't make any difference once you get into it. Don't you agree?"

No, Diona did not agree. There was a significant change when you add fifteen more to the weight of five.

"I-I see." Diona wisely chose to eat some more of her ice cream. Seeking solace in the land of sugary sweet with a dash of mint. 'Nope, not gonna ask.'

"And I came up with another idea, I toned it down a bit so Master Jean would approve of it."

"Okay, what was it?" Maybe this one would be a bit more normal.

"I wanted to put people in the Knights of Favonius cafeteria freezer," Noelle said. "With how spacious it currently is, I can fit five to ten people at a time."

"W-What?!"

"Oh, was that too little? I suppose I could fit fifteen, but I'd rather not accidentally cause dislocations or break bones," Diona thought she was doing this on purpose, but she looked so concerned that Noelle couldn't have had anything but the best intentions in her mind the moment she pitched the idea to the acting grandmaster. And how does one accidentally break bones? "But Master Jean still declined, even when I insisted I'd never forget to let them out."

Absently nodding along, Diona went back to her sweet happy place and ate some more ice cream.

Mmm, sweet.

"And so I took a step back and suggested a beverage stand of some sort. I would get all of my ingredients myself, and I would prepare everything from scratch," she smiled. "And she agreed! Vehemently so. I think she was being affected by the heat too. She enthusiastically told me to get started on it right away!"

'I think she went for the best idea you had and forced you to go through with it before you could think of anything else.'

Again, Diona wisely chose not to say anything and returned to sweet ice cream land. Yet when she went to take a bite of the cone, she was met with empty air.

'Aw, I finished it.' Diona looked sad. Noelle's ice cream was unlike anything she'd ever had.

It didn't take a genius to know why her stall was doing so well. Noelle was generally well known in Mondstadt to be a very responsible, dutiful, trustworthy, and determined girl. She would do almost anything asked of her within reason, and she'd do it better than most would with a smile on her face.

When they knew of Noelle setting up shop past the bridge to Mondstadt, most gathered the strength to visit amidst the vicious heat as a way of saying their thanks for her efforts. Though that feeling of obligation slowly turned into a desire when they tasted her drinks and ice cream.

Noelle always did her tasks to the letter. The fact that it extended to the methods of preparing her products bolstered her stall's already rapid-rising reputation among not only the citizens of Mondstadt but also outsiders and merchants who often had Mondstadt along the way to their destination.

"Here you are." Diona looked up to see Noelle holding another ice cream in hand, just like the one she ate.

Diona's frown quickly turned upside down. Her mouth salivated and her eyes sparkled at the dessert. "T-Thanks!'' She started walking back to Mondstadt, but not before addressing Noelle one more time. "I won't forget this! Come by Angel's Share sometimes. I can't have you drink alcohol, but I'll teach you a few tricks in mixing you might need if you plan on doing this again someday." She'd do everything in her power to keep Noelle as far away from the villain that was alcohol. She was so nice!

Noelle waved her goodbye. "I'll be sure to."

Once she was out of sight, Noelle was left to her own devices and took inventory. She still had a couple of hours before she closed up, and if the last shift was going to be anything like the earlier ones, she'd have the same crowd if not more coming.

'I'm… lacking ice.' Again, people loved their ice. And she had been using double the amount of ice for her ice cream as well. The mist corollas were good for keeping things cool, but she refused to mix them with anything. Though she admired people who could add such a thing to a dish and still have the dish come out delectable.

Somewhere, while using slimes to provide more texture for her dish, a certain cook sneezed.

Looking around, there weren't that many people. Noelle figured this was the best time to go for an ice run. Perhaps she could come up with one more additional product along the way. She stood up and put the same sign as before on the counter.

'Will be back in a moment.'


And at last, it was almost time for her to close. Noelle let out a sigh in relief. Today was one of the busiest and most stressful days of her life, but it was also pretty fun. Again, the demand for ice was just as big as the previous shift, but thanks to her preparation, she had managed to satisfy her customer's needs.

Some of the knights were kind enough to provide her tables and chairs along with an umbrella on each table for additional shade. Seeing as her last shift was when families hung out in front of her stall, it was a terrific decision from the Knights.

She'd also come up with a new recipeh, Shaved Ice!

Turned out to be a very big hit too for those that wanted cold with a bit more bite. The syrups took a bit more work, and she didn't have an ice shaver. But with the former, she'd just needed to use the ingredients she already had and maybe even borrow a few more equipments that she needed to do so somewhere, and for the latter, Diona was more than happy to let her borrow her ice shaver.

Good thing she did too. Otherwise, Noelle was tempted to put them in a ziplock bag and start smashing her way through. The lack of equipment will never be enough to stop her!

It was so much fun to use too! Noelle enjoyed turning the knob and shaving the ice onto cups for people to enjoy.

Regardless, it was near her scheduled time to retire, and she started cleaning up.

'Though I may have gone overboard for the ingredients. I wonder what I'll do with them, maybe I can bring them to the taverns for them to use."

That would suffice. They weren't going anywhere, and the least she could do was make sure none of it went to waste. Though she felt like she had less than she did once she was halfway through closing up.

"Oh? Closing already?" a voice said. "And here I thought we'd be able to get some of the cold desserts we keep hearing about back at Headquarters."

Noelle immediately stood up straight and bowed as soon as she saw who was talking to her.

Two women were in front of her stall, smiling at her. One had gray-blue eyes and medium-length gold-blonde hair tied back into a ponytail with a black bow, and another had green eyes and flowing honey-brown hair wrapped in a loose side ponytail.

The former gave her a nod, and the latter waved and smiled at her. "Hello there, Noelle. I know it's closing time but mind if we get to purchase something just before you close up?

"Lisa! We can't just-"

"I'd be honored! What will you be having, Miss Lisa? Master Jean?" Noelle's smile was just as bright as the sun, without the scorching heat that came along with it.

"See? What did I tell you, Jean?"

"But she's already halfway through packin- huh?"

Jean took another look at the stall and to her surprise, it was as if she hadn't packed up before they visited.

Noelle still had a bright smile on her face as if she hadn't just put back most of her equipment and ingredients in less than a second.

"I- Noelle, I thought you-"

"We'll both take shaved ice, please! Both with fruits and a few scoops of ice cream."

Noelle smiled and started her preparations. "Certainly! Any preferences for shaved ice syrup?"

"I'll leave that to you."

She gave a nod. "I'll do my best to meet your expectations, then."

Lisa nodded back. "I'm sure you will."

"Lisa!"

"What? I thought you wanted shaved ice?"

Jean turned to her colleague, wide-eyed. "But- that- the stall-" before she gave up, slumped, and held her head in her hands in frustration, confusion, and plain exhaustion. "Yes, I would love to have one, please."

"Will be in but a moment."

Lisa chuckled as she pulled out two chairs next to the counter for her and Jean. "Lighten up, Jean. Being holed up in that office of yours for Barbatos knows how long in this heat, that fair skin of yours is gonna suffer you know?" she pulled on her arm and led her to sit down. "You need to take a break and have something cold."

Jean sighed. She still had much work to do. But Jean did see a point in the librarian's words. It was getting hot in her office even with the blinds closed, and she had to admit that the heat was getting to her.

When Lisa invited her to go visit Noelle, she couldn't deny the urge to do so. It was the talk of the town after all. People went to the taverns for a drink when they wanted a kick to go along with it, but for most of the members of the workforce who couldn't get drunk just yet, their go-to was Noelle's stall, not to mention one couldn't bring their children to a tavern either. Noelle's stall was perfect for families and such. And from what she heard, she was doing more than well for herself for an idea she thought of less than twenty-four hours ago.

It was miles and miles better than whatever Noelle initially thought of. 'Serious, who thinks of shoving people in a massive freezer like it's a walk in a park?'

Lisa had to all but force her out of the office, and then she had to force her to let go of the paperwork she was thinking of bringing. Though she didn't expect her stall to be right outside of Mondstadt.

"If you don't mind me asking, why set up here?" she inquired. Surely there were multiple spots inside Mondstadt.

Noelle shortly paused in her shaved ice-making to process the question, before she smiled. "Well, I thought of setting up inside earlier as well, but when I thought of it, I would've liked to serve the merchants and passersby too."

Lisa cooed. "And you set up right outside of Mondstadt. Not too far for us to reach, and from the way I see it, you got more use for the additional space too.."

Jean agreed. "You got all of these by yourself?" she looked around. There were tables, and chairs, some tables were joined together, not to mention the much-appreciated umbrellas on each table. To their left, they could see a board that was filled up with the regards, congratulations, and requests of the customers.

All in all, it was starting to appear as if it was an actual legitimate establishment. She was proud.

"Here you are!" Instead of placing it on the counter, she brought it directly to them instead seeing as they were practically in front of the counter already.

"Thank you, Noelle!" Lisa raised her cup.

Jean gave her a nod. "Yes, thank you very much."

The maid gave a bow. "It was my pleasure. Please, tell me what you think."

Now that she held it in her hands, it looked very delectable. Jean could almost feel most of the heat washing off of her body just from looking at it. She scooped up some ice, put a slice of fruit on it, and brought it to her mouth.

She gave a sigh in relief. As the cold treat went down her system, she was being refreshed. Wanting to feel it again, she brought another scoop to her mouth. And another, and another, and another-

"Master Jean, if you're not careful you might get a-

"Ow." the acting grandmaster put the shaved ice down onto the counter and held her head.

"-Brain-freeze." she winced.

Lisa laughed. "The acting grandmaster of the knights of Favonius, defeated by a brain freeze, ladies."

Jean blushed as the pain subsided. "Sorry."

Noelle gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't be. But please take your time. I can always make more should you wish for it," she said. "The same thing happened to Amber earlier when she was in a rush." she chuckled.

"Amber was working earlier? In this heat?" Lisa ate a scoop. "I can't imagine that. I was about to keel over in the library when I just woke up." This heat was no joke.

"Please take care of yourself, Miss Lisa. And Master Jean, remember to take breaks."

"Noelle's right, take your breaks, Jean," Lisa teased. "What's the sense in giving them to you when you won't use them?"

Jean glared at her. But instead of saying anything, she simply chose to have another scoop instead.

It was delicious, and it made the heat more bearable.

"That's cute," she watched Jean's expression soften as soon as the cold treat hit her tongue. She turned back to Noelle. "Did Amber say anything?"

Noelle adopted a thinking pose. "Mmm, nothing important. She said it was hot, but she still had to perform her duties. Oh, and she dislikes me calling her Miss Amber, but that's just it. Though she did say something weird before she left."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I believe Miss Amber may be too humble regarding her occupation and position in the Knights, to the point that she may feel that she doesn't deserve the respect she does."

Jean and Lisa raised an eyebrow. "Really? How so?"

"Well, earlier when she was telling me why I shouldn't call her Miss Amber, she told me that it was alright for me to do so with Miss Lisa but not with her. Doesn't that mean she feels she doesn't deserve it?"

Jean immediately made some space between her and the librarian. Said librarian had put her shaved ice down, and let her chin rest on her hands as she smiled at Noelle.

It wasn't a good smile.

"I see, that's too bad," thunder crackled as she slightly opened her eyes. "I don't suppose you know where Amber is by this time? I should… educate her in fine detail about her worth."

Noelle smiled, missing the ominous glint in her eyes. "I do. By this time she should be back in her quarters having a shower or inside Marjorie's shop buying materials for baron bunny."

"I see, thank you very much, Noelle. I'll be sure to let her know my thoughts on the matter," Lisa giggled as she ate more shaved ice. "I'll be sure to, indeed."

Noelle only bowed.

Witnessing this exchange, Jean did what she felt was right. She ate more shaved ice.

The cold treat made all the bad things go away.

As she was thinking of ways to torment- ehem, reassure the outrider, Lisa had another idea, this time regarding Noelle and her products.

"Hey, Jean."

Still cautious, Jean moved closer. "Yes?"

"Lend me your ear for a minute."

Noelle watched the two whisper to each other. Though she noted that Jean's expression became intrigued, then shocked, then thoughtful, then guilty as she looked at Noelle before she nodded.

The two of them nodded at each other for one more time before they separated. Lisa cleared her throat. "Noelle, would you mind listening to what we have to say?"

Noelle raised an eyebrow but agreed nonetheless. "Always."

"I want you to take this seriously, Noelle. Think it through carefully." Jean sternly told her.

Noelle gave her a nod as she stood straight.

"Noelle."

"Yes, Miss Lisa? Master Jean?"

Librarian and Acting Grandmaster exchanged glances briefly, then addressed Noelle.

"How would you like to help out the Knight's budget and funding while earning some change for yourself in the process?"


Noelle, clad in white, rose-themed pajamas, flopped down onto the bed while still retaining the grace and poise that came with being a maid.

Once they had finished eating, Lisa and Jean helped her with tidying while they called some of the other knights to help pick up the tables and chairs they brought in. All of them did it with a smile as thanks for Noelle's treats that got them through the day.

Evening came, and the people were thankful for the cold it brought. She heard that some of her patrons visited the tavern and inspired their bartenders to take inspiration from her product! How cool was that?

She had fun today. Talking to people, knowing their preferences, giving them treats, having families bond together over a nice cup of lemonade, a cone of ice cream, or even shaved ice. Making other people happy also made her happy. It felt like she was making a difference.

At her bedside, she saw the board that held the messages of many people hung on the wall. They insisted she keep it with her, and she was all the happier to do so. It served as a healthy reminder of what she'd done that day.

She then turned to the lamp on her side, switched it off, and laid down on the bed. It was time to end the day, and what a day it had been.

She could only hold in her excitement for tomorrow. Especially after what Jean and Lisa had told her. She had a very early day tomorrow. She needed to be well-rested and energetic for tomorrow's morning.


Morning came fast. Though this morning was significantly cooler than yesterday and the citizens of Mondstadt were all for it.

Though this morning, the Knights of Favonius were currently busy carrying more than a dozen crates onto a merchant's cart for distribution.

"A lot of crates ya have here," the merchant helped in the loading effort.

Huffman chuckled. "Yeah, everyone pitched in to help. Should go well." he was surprised at the number of people who woke up early to help with this goal of theirs. Even Master Jean who seldom had time for herself, and Miss Lisa came to give their assistance too.

Though it was a bit weird when he'd hear lightning cackle behind him from time to time, he chalked it up to his body not being used to waking up at that hour, and kept moving.

The merchant nodded. "Distribute as much as I can, correct?"

"Correct," he gave him the last crate with a proud smile. "That's the last of it. Everything we got for now."

"Got it," the merchant replied. He neatly aligned the last care with the dozen others. All these crates were to be distributed across Teyvat. To the harbors of Liyue, to cargo ships heading towards Inazuma, and many more.

Though when he glanced at the label written on the crates, he raised an eyebrow. "Say, the name reminds me of this one place I went to yesterday in front of your gates." Couldn't forget it even if he tried. There was something different about that stall yesterday. A pretty lady in a maid outfit, selling juice, ice cream, and shaved ice. Just what he needed to finish yesterday's delivery in that atrocious heat.

"It should. We're packaging it and selling it everywhere we can to boost funding for the knights and share our very own Noelle's hard work too. And if there is anything that yesterday told me about it, it'll go swimmingly."

The merchant chuckled. "That it will, my friend. That it will."

He bowed to the Knight before he set off on his journey. But not before taking one more glance at the crates. He supposed he'd want to share it with the world too. He smiled as he read the label.

'Moment Maid, huh?'


AN: This was longer than I thought. Remember when I said these chapters would be shorter than my average one-shots? Yeah, I actually meant it when I said that last week.

Though apparently, I was wrong. Some chapters can reach that length.

Well, that's this one done. Here's an extra scene for ya. I couldn't fit it anywhere that seemed appropriate to me, but it would be a shame not to include it.


Extra: Where does Noelle get her ice?

Nimrod struggled to keep afoot as he traversed the ground of Mondstadt. In search of this small stall that supposedly sold cold treats.

Why did it have to be outside Mondstadt? Why did he have to walk? Why was it so hot? And why didn't his wife take him with her when she bought some?

So many questions, so little time, too much heat, not enough brain to function.

Regardless, he finally got to his goal, but upon arriving-

Will be back in a moment.

Noelle wasn't there.

He felt betrayed, he felt tired, and most importantly, it was still so damn hot. Fortunately, there was some shade available on the tables and he quickly sat down and caught his breath.

He wondered how long he would have to wait. A minute? Five? Maybe ten? Oh no, what if it became an hour? He couldn't possibly live that long. His wife might hate his guts from time to time but he could argue that he wasn't that stupid!

Thankfully, he didn't need to wait that long. For he heard the sound of footsteps nearby and a monstrous groan- wait what?

He turned around, drawn to the sound. It was Noelle! She had been carrying two coolers full of ice on one hand, and on the other was a giant Frostarm Lawachurl

Nimrod rubbed his eyes and opened them, nope it was there.

"Oh, Hello Mr. Nimrod! Come for a beverage? Maybe Ice Cream? Shaved Ice?" she smiled as if she wasn't carrying a titan on one arm like it was an everyday occurrence.

"I-That-What-"

"Oh dear, the heat must be getting to you. Don't worry! I will be in but a moment! Let me just shave more ice for you." Nimrod's eyes widened as he saw her pull out a massive claymore and brought it down onto the beast's horn.

GROAN

"Oh, don't be such a baby! I just need your ice, it'll be over as soon as you comply. Besides, you should be used to this by now."

"It's still alive?!"

Noelle blinked and tilted her head as she brought down another hit onto the beast, this time met with a whimper than a groan, all while keeping her expression while her eyes were on him

Why the hell was she so calm?!

And why was she looking at him like he was the weird one?

She pointed towards the fallen Lawachurl that wanted to be taken out of its misery and brought up a cooler onto the counter.

"Fresh ice."

DON'T SAY THAT LIKE IT'S THE SIMPLEST THING IN THE WORLD!