Chapter 4: The Traveller
Running out of activities to do after finishing their Adventurers' Guild Commissions, the Traveler and Paimon decided to pay the Knights of Favonius a visit to see if they had any tasks for the Honorary Knight.
After stopping for a quick meal at Good Hunter, the two companions set off for Favonius Headquarters. It was a warm and sunny day, but even Paimon seemed to be tiring of spending all her time aimlessly searching for treasure chests.
The Headquarters was remarkably quiet for a late afternoon; most of the knights seemed to be out on assignments. Noticing Captain Kaeya and Albedo discussing something near the grand staircase, the Traveler decided to see if they could be of any help.
"Kaeya! Albedooooo!" Paimon called out, waving her arm frantically.
"Ah, what a welcome surprise," Kaeya said with a sly smile as he turned to greet them. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"
"Paimon and the Traveler are running out of treasure chests to find!" Paimon complained, blunt as ever. "Do you have anything for us to do?"
"Well, seeing as our Honorary Knight is doing such a good job, there simply isn't much work left for us regular Knights," Kaeya mused.
"Aww!" Paimon whined. "How are we supposed to make mora– I mean, protect Mondstadt– if there's nothing for us to do?!"
The Traveler let out a light laugh, shaking their head at Paimon's antics, turning to Albedo instead.
"You must have some experiments on the go, right? Anything we can help with?"
The alchemist stroked his chin, as if mentally going through all of his ongoing tasks. "Well, unless you've been planning on analyzing the alchemical composition of whopper flowers, then I'm afraid Sucrose and I don't currently have any tasks that would suit you, either."
"Ugh!" Paimon stamped her feet, or at least she would have if she wasn't floating three feet in the air.
"Come on, Paimon, there's sure to be someone somewhere who needs our help," the Traveler assured.
"Ah, you know what? I actually might have a task that you could do for me," Kaeya said, pulling a small bag out of one of his pouches.
"Oooh, now you're talking!" Paimon said eagerly, hearing the slight 'clink' of mora from inside the bag.
Kaeya handed it to the Traveler. "These are some funds I owe Master Diluc," he explained. "Perhaps you could take it to the Winery for me? It would save me a trip."
"Sure," the Traveler took the bag and safely hid it away. Albedo lifted an eyebrow, as if in surprise, before quickly regaining his calm composure.
"You mean we don't even get to keep the mora?" Paimon pouted, crossing her arms.
The Cavalry Captain chuckled. "I'm afraid not this time. But you'll be doing me a great favour. I'll make it up to you the next time you need anything."
"Alright…" The strange floating creature resigned, obviously still disappointed.
And so the two companions made their way over to Dawn Winery. The sun was just beginning to set, although the Winery seemed suspiciously deserted when they arrived.
The Traveler knocked on the front door, but received no response. Waiting a few more moments before trying again, they gave Paimon a puzzled look.
"Seems like no ones home…" Paimon remarked. "Oh well, guess that means we get to keep the mora!"
The Traveler gave her a flat look, when suddenly the door opened.
"Oh! Why, hello," Adelinde said with a welcoming smile.
"Finally!" Paimon cried, putting her tiny hands on her hips. "What took your so long! Where is everyone?"
""All the staff has been sent home. Master Diluc is expecting a… special guest," the maid explained. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"We just came to drop this off for Kaeya." The Traveler handed Adelinde the small bag of mora.
"Oh! Well, thank you for making the trip." The head maid accepted the pouch with a smile. "Have a wonderful evening," she said, closing the door.
"Wait!" Paimon exclaimed, startling poor Adelinde.
"What kind of guest is Diluc having?" the small floating creature asked curiously.
The Traveler put a palm to their face, exasperated with Paimon's antics. "If Master Diluc was planning on having any old regular guest over, then he wouldn't send everyone home," they prompted annoyedly.
"Oooh!" Paimon gasped excitedly. "A secret guest!"
"Is something the matter?" A deep voice asked from inside the building. Diluc suddenly appeared behind Adelinde. He was missing his trademarked black jacket. The two Winery residents exchanged a quick, whispered conversation, too quiet for the Traveler to understand.
The maid turned back to the two confused companions. "Come in," she said with a smile, opening the door wider to invite them in.
The Winery was deserted, save for a tall young woman leaning on the railing above the foyer.
"Is this the Traveler that I've heard so much about?" she asked with an amused smile.
Diluc sighed, gesturing up at his mysterious guest. "Its about time you two met," he said.
The woman hurried down the staircase, her long black cloak billowing behind her. She had bright white hair, save for two blonde strands that framed her face.
"This is one of my informants," Diluc explained.
"Oh, so I'm your informant now, am I?" she asked in a feigned offended tone before turning back to face the Traveler. "I've heard many impressive things about you and your travels across Teyvat. Nice to finally be able to put a face to your name." She extended a hand. "You can call me Quinn."
The Traveler eyed this strange woman cautiously.
"Is that your real name?" Paimon asked, brow furrowed.
"No," 'Quinn' said with a devilish smile, crossing her arms.
"Don't tease them," Diluc interrupted with an annoyed scowl.
Quinn let out a dramatic sigh. "You know, for someone with a Pyro Vision, you're still awfully cold towards me."
Diluc's frown deepened, but he said nothing.
The Traveler's hand flew automatically to their sword, while Paimon instinctively hid behind them.
"Uh… Can we trust this person?" Paimon asked nervously.
Diluc sighed in defeat. "Unfortunately for me, yes, she can be trusted. She's a member of the underground information network that I'm a part of," he explained.
"So… you're a spy?" The Traveler asked tentatively.
"In a way, yes," the tall woman explained.
Diluc cleared his throat, clearly wanting to shift the conversation elsewhere. "Quinn, here, was informing me of the Abyss Order's activity in Mondstadt. I was going to investigate a potential hideout."
"Ooh! Finally something interesting to do!" Paimon exclaimed excitedly.
"I take it you would like to join me on my excursion, then?" Diluc asked.
"We have nothing better to do," the Traveller explained. "We'd be glad to help."
"Hmm," Quinn hummed with an amused smile. "I might stick around a little longer, in that case. I know I'd certainly like to see the famous Traveller in action."
Diluc stared at her, deadpan with a shocked expression on his face.
"What?" the Traveller asked, nervously glancing back and forth between the two. "Is… something the matter?"
Diluc opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again. He took a deep breath before trying again. "What happened to you trying to stay out of Teyvat's business?" he asked Quinn in an accusatory tone.
She shrugged indifferently. "This is a rare opportunity I'm not going to let slip by."
Diluc frowned, as if he was deep in though over what he was going to say next. He nodded, and the two seemed to have a silent agreement.
"Well, then. Shall we head out?" Quinn invited.
The Traveller nodded, and the four unusual companions set out into the night.
