Sweeping the leaves in the courtyard, dusting the shelves and railings, wiping the floors of the estate and finally cooking meals for the lord and lady of the house. This was the daily schedule for Thoma, the housekeeper of the Kamisato Clan. The daily schedule had remained unchanged from the first day he was assigned his role as the housekeeper. The only times his schedule changed were when he fell sick, when his lord or lady had a task for him, and his birthday.

His birthdays were spent with the lord and lady of the house and it was days like those that he cherished dearly in his heart. However, after meeting with the Traveller, having spent time with them, Thoma decided on a different course of action when his birthday came. He wanted to spend more time with the Traveller, he wanted to hear the stories the Traveller had in their time in Teyvat.

(He wanted to hear more about Mondstadt, to see the dandelions again, to feel the soft petals of Cecilia in his hands.)

"Do you have any plans today? We can take a stroll in the city today or if you prefer, we could play a few board games. Whatever you want to do, today is your special day."

"Forgive me my lord, but there is someone I want to meet today."

As Thoma walked out of the estate, he wondered why the lord gave him a knowing look like he just heard something interesting. However, as he wandered around the city, he realised that he had no idea how to find the Traveller. Perhaps he could find them in Ritou. It is still the only port in Inazuma open to people outside the borders of Inazuma.

However, as he walked down the streets of Ritou, he could not help but remember Mondstadt. He remembered how he would run down the cobblestone streets of the city, he remembered the feeling of the refreshing wind that blows throughout the city, he remembered watching the birds soar in the sky as they flew past the statue of the Anemo Archon.

(Was it considered homesick to miss a home he had never been to since he was a child?)

He continued to walk, burrowing his mind in the memories of the childhood he could vaguely remember. He could feel a longing burning in his heart, a sense of nostalgia almost tempting him to jump onto the nearest boat that could take him to the continent that Mondstadt is in. In the end, he forced himself to turn away from the docks. He took a scenic route to his destination, enjoying the sights of Ritou and the atmosphere the town gave out.

By the time he reached the shop selling writing supplies, he had the invitation planned out, the idea of what to do later and the sense of longing buried with the memories of Mondstadt. As he wrote the invitation however, the memories came again unbidden.

'Why now? Why today?' Thoma thought to himself as he secluded himself in a lonely corner in the town, away from any curious onlookers or worried acquaintances, and as he set the tip of the pen down onto the surface of the paper, the words he wanted to convey flowed through the ink onto the paper.

In recent years, I usually spend my birthday with Lord Ayato and Lady Ayaka.

He remembered spending his birthdays with his mother in Mondstadt. He remembered spending his birthdays alone after he was trapped in Inazuma. He remembered spending his birthdays with the lord and lady once they found out how he was celebrating alone every year.

But this morning, my lord asked me if I had other plans today... Honestly, I wanted to meet up with you.

He remembered during one of the chats he had with the Traveller and in one of those, he accidentally mentioned his Mondstadt origin. The Traveller had picked up on that and had talked to him about the things they had seen and experienced during their time in Mondstadt, even going as far as to cook a Sweet Madame for him.

(Was it wrong to say that he wanted more?)

Lately, I've been worried that you haven't been taking good care of yourself on your journey.

He remembered when the Traveller saved him and his Vision. He remembered when the Traveller disappeared in front of the Raiden Shogun, his companion panicking and distraught over their disappearance, only for the Traveller to reappear, wounded and unconscious.

As I walk around Ritou, Mondstadt occasionally comes to mind. There are many reasons, but ultimately... It's because I want to see you.

Mondstadt for him had been a time filled with nothing but happiness, a carefree life with no worries except for the occasional concern for his father. And the Traveller reminded him of that Mondstadt.

Tell me where I can find you!

He remembered when the Traveller disappeared, Gorou fanatic at the Traveller's disappearance, one not caused by the Raiden Shogun. The Traveller did appear again, this time in front of the palace. He remembered not being able to see any of that because setting foot out of his safehouse would mean ruining the second chance the Traveller gave to him.

Oh, that's right, leave dinner plans to me. Don't worry about it.

He wanted to thank the Traveller, he needed to thank them for everything they had done, for both the country of Inazuma, for Mondstadt, and for him.

I'm on top of my game today and I'm sure you'll be well satisfied. If there's anything else you need, just let me know. Don't be a stranger! I'll be sure to bring everything along!

A scrumptious dinner at the Komore Teahouse cooked by yours truly, a nice relaxing soak at a private hotspring whose owner owed him a big favour, and a night of watching fireworks (small-scale of course). Thoma hoped that the Traveller would enjoy what he had planned and he would make today the best birthday he ever had.

Thoma would remember a birthday with his mother when he lived in Mondstadt. He would remember a birthday with no one around to celebrate with him in Inazuma. He would remember a birthday with the lord and lady of the Kamisato Clan who gave him what he lost. And he would remember a birthday with a new friend, a hero who saved his life. He would remember a birthday where his longings for a country he loved were sated by the stories told. And he would remember all the birthdays to come, no longer alone on a foreign land.