The city of Mondstadt at 3 a.m., a quiet hour, when people sleep peacefully, and even the regular drunks have already returned home or collapsed with drink in hand. All souls rest, all but a couple inside the Favonius knights' quarters.
Jean Gunnhildr, Dandelion Knight, Master of the knights and all of Mondstadt in practice. A symbol of pride for her family and the entire nation, but at this moment she was ending one of her lesser known roles, that of lover. Jean settled into her pajamas while a certain lightning witch watched her from the bed.
-Come on Jean, let's sleep together today. Who knows, when the sun rises we could repeat what we did under the moon.- Unlike the blonde, Lisa was still in the same state after completing her little adventure.
As tentative as it sounded, Jean remained focused. -I'm sorry love, I have that early meeting with the Fatui diplomats and I want to go over my notes as early as possible.- The very idea of having those Snezhnayan scums in town infuriated her, but keeping calm and dealing with scoundrels is part of the duties of the Master of the Knights.
Jean, in her concentration, didn't notice how arms wrapped around her until she felt a pressure on her cheek. Jean turned to see the green eyes she adored so much. -That's a good luck kiss.- Lisa came closer again, planting lips to lips. -And that's a goodnight kiss.-
Jean smiled warmly, turned around, and returned the gesture. -Rest well.- After a hug, they separated. Jean approached the door, said goodbye one last time and left the room. After closing the door he lets out a sigh and a small laugh. ~That woman is my weakness~. Looking up, she finds something unexpected.
Kaeya Alberich, Captain of the Favonius cavalry, a man of various talents and great charisma. It is not unusual to find him in the middle of the night taking charge of patrols, or so he says; what was unusual was to see him leaving the room of the research Captain Albedo, in nothing but shorts, a t-shirt over his shoulder and his inseparable patch. What's worse is that Jean knew they both had the same surprised look on their faces as their gazes crossed. Before either could utter a word, hinges echo in the hallway.
Amber, the last outrider, an example of dedication to her work and effort to bring a smile to everyone in her city and beyond. This dedication could be seen in her friendship with Eula Lawrence, Captain of the knights of Favonius reconnaissance company and belonging to the ill-famed Lawrence clan, but without sharing their values and beliefs, something that Amber noticed and had been determined to spread throughout the city. It seemed that their relationship was underestimated, as Amber came out of Eula's room, with her dress badly arranged and several marks on her neck and more going down out of sight.
It was a standoff; the first to question the presence of another would be counterattacked in kind; the only solution, a mutual agreement without a word. The 3 knights regained their composure and started walking... or that was the plan; after taking a step, a figure appeared in the middle of the corridor, blocking their way. Noelle, maid of the knights of Favonius, one of the physically strongest people in the whole city and diligent in all her actions. The gray-haired woman stood with a broom in hand and a surprise on her face. Jean only hoped that the strap marks on her wrists were not too noticeable.
-Oh knights, what a surprise to find you at this hour- If Noelle noticed the clear signs of what everyone was doing, she showed no sign of this, bless her understanding soul.
Jean decided to take the initiative and cleared her throat -Good evening Noelle, we're just returning to our quarters- Her pair of partners in crime nodded in sync. Jean's gaze turned stern -But Noelle, you know it's not necessary for you to be unveiled in your labors.- Jean's protective instinct could not be repressed even in such a situation.
Noelle's posture became nervous. - Oh no no no no, don't worry Master Jean, this is just an unexpected event - It was hard to see, but Noelle was dodging the gazes of the other 3 knights.
Before Kaeya could ask about this unexpected event, a voice sounded through the nearby door. -Noelle, are you still there, you know if you're uncomfortable with the scene, we can change it- Sucrose's sweet voice filtered through the openings, along with a sort of growl. -But could you hurry up? The knots are starting to get a little annoying.-
Noelle's face reddened to a tomato. -Have a pleasant night- And with a bow, Noelle entered the room and closed the door firmly, but not slamming it, that would not be proper for a maid.
Jean heard a laugh behind her and turned to look at her companions. -Come on guys, this is no reason to laugh at Noelle. -Amber and Kaeya raised their hands in innocence.
-I didn't do it.- the brunet defended himself.
-It's true, it's no laughing matter, those knots can become very uncomfortable. - Amber regretted talking too much as soon as she felt the inquisitive looks of her superiors. But the conversation was interrupted when another laughter resounded in the barracks, a more characteristic one.
Klee, spark knight, so named for her high energy and fondness for high damage explosives, as well as being a child under the care of the order and who should not be awake at such early hours of the morning. The 3 rushed out to the little girl's room, where indeed the lights were on inside. The knights got into formation to enter and take action. Jean grabbed the doorknob and raised 3 fingers. As soon as she lowered the last one, the door opened fully and the 3 entered as if it were a raid.
Inside the room they found papers and crayons scattered all over the floor, a toy or two thrown on the bed and a couple of girls frightened by the sudden intrusion, perhaps too frightened. Diona, waitress of the Cat's Tail tavern, Mondstadt wine industry slayer and Klee's best friend, with Kätzlein blood giving her feline characteristics, reacted like one, bristling on all four limbs and running to the nearest open window through which she jumped from, this being more worrying as the rooms were on a third floor.
-AAAAAAAAH!
-AARGH, what the fuck?! Get off you brat!
-Who are you calling a brat, drunkard!
The 4 knights leaned out of the window to see how Diona managed to fall, nails first, on Sister Rosaria, the least serious but the most unpleasant of the nuns of the Mondstadt church.
-Oh Barbatos, Rosaria, are you alright?- Jean turned towards the voice and immediately recognized his sister in a very different attire than usual.
-Barbara?
Barbara Pegg, Deaconess of the Mondstadt church and rising Idol singer, turned to the window, covering her body as soon as she saw who was looking out of it. -JEAN?!, I c-can explain.-
Perhaps not all souls are at rest at such hours of the night, but what else can you expect in the city of freedom, ehe.