In the end, the duo decided to land by the Starfell village's entrance,
And as soon as they did, the village's Elder arrived to receive them...
-Miss Amber, it is good to have you visit us again. Miss Collei, I officially welcome you to our village. -Eduard politely said, while going in a small bow before the two, before straightening himself. -Recently, Church Trainees Caleb and Sophia came to inform us of your possible arrival to our modest village. I was uncertain if you will truly stop here, seeing as what Lord Barbatos planned for today must be great, but I decided to wait for your arrival, nonetheless. -He soon explained, looking and sounding glad, yet also slightly conflicted. -Miss Amber, how is Lord Barbatos doing these days...? I hope he is well...? The last time we met, my current name he so graciously gave me...
He asked in some concern and gratefulness,
Before his words suddenly trailed off, his expression turning thoughtful...
-Venti is doing just fine, so there is no need to worry, Eduard! -Amber soon said, trying to look and sound as reassuring as possible, with Collei deciding to mimic her friend.
-That's right, Mister Eduard! -She soon added, trying to look and sound reassuring, as well. -Venti is one of the people who saved me and who is helping me feel better! -At least, based on what happened earlier, she was pretty sure of it...The wind(or the Winds as her friend called them) wouldn't act like that otherwise. -...And if he isn't, just like he is helping me, I am also going to help him! That's my promise as Sumeru's Forest Ranger Trainee and a friend of Amber and Mondstadt!
She added with all the determination she could muster,
Deciding then and there that she was going to pay back for the favor he showed her...
*As much as she possibly could, hopefully at the same time as she pays Amber and everyone else back...
...
"There is no need to worry, Little Collei, everyone is doing their best to save you. They wouldn't let you die."
There were just so many people she was already wholly grateful for,
She truly wasn't sure who to repay first and how...
...
"It's quite normal to be out until midday on the longer patrol routes. I brought a few extra Pita Pockets — would you like one?"
...
...
Maybe start it by making them some Pita Pockets...?
*Surely, that would be a good way to...?
-Amber, Collei, you are finally here! I knew you will be coming and when I saw all of Timmie's friends landing in the trees nearby, I got so happy! -An enthusiastic voice was suddenly heard from nearby, as Klee soon ran up to and stopped by the small group. -Klee has a surprise that I can't wait to show you! Sister Sophia and Brother Caleb are also there! And the "BFR" also joined us recently and helped us prepare the surprise!
"SURPRISE!
It's a big picnic Klee and my friends prepared! Do you like it?!"
The place they arrived to was a clearing overlooking the sea,
At the place Klee happily called "Stormbearer Coast"...
*Collei wasn't sure why Klee chose this place specifically,
But it wasn't a bad location to have a picnic...
...
Looking at the sea was so calming...
...
...
-I, Fischl, Prinzessin der Verurteilung, Sovereign of Immernachtreich, cordially welcome you to this humble celebration! -Was suddenly heard from nearby, interrupting Collei's tranquility and making her visibly annoyed. -Myself and my faithful companions have devoted all our...!
Fischl soon started a whole speech, which Collei adamantly decided to ignore,
As she was suddenly reminded of the reason why she didn't like people acting overly cringey...
...
"The power sealed within me grows restless"
"You'd be wise to stay away from me"
...
...
Once upon a time, she was acting just as cringy...
*There was a valid reason for her being like this back then, but still,
The way she was so antagonistic towards others, like Amber...
"DON'T TOUCH ME!
Can't you see? I am one of the unclean...You'd be wise to stay away from me.
Unlike you, I'm not one of those chosen by a Vision. I'm the eternal outcast. No city will open it's gates for me.
I came here looking for something. But I don't think I'll ever find it. Farewell."
...
"A view of serene beauty freed from the ugly and pathetic struggles of worms like me.
This must be how the gods of Celestia view their garden from up high.
You won't find a thing here."
...
...
Remembering even a part of it just felt so embarrassing...!
*From just hating the Fatui, she started hating the whole world,
If not for Amber, Teacher, Master Tighnari and the rest helping her back then...
...
...
She was thinking about her life quite a lot recently,
Though considering everything that happened to her, it wasn't that weird, right...?
...
-Collei not listen anymore. And I can understand why. -A voice nearby was soon heard, as Razor and Bennet walked up to and stood with the group, the wolf boy stopping his gaze on the now quiet investigator. -Fischl, your word hard to understand. Can't you use easy word again...?
-I have to agree with Razor. Not everyone can understand this kind of formal speech. -Bennet added moments later, as he now also looked towards Fischl. -...This is the time where it's better to be Amy rather than Fischl. We are holding this picnic in order to welcome Collei to Mondsatdt, right...?
He made sure to add, sounding quite calm, yet also serious,
As Fischl was quiet for a while, currently pondering on his and Razor's words...
*She was close to both Bennet and Razor, so she didn't mind dropping her act,
But as for everyone else, except for her parents, she still found it hard to do so...
...
...
But this picnic was indeed held as their way to welcome Collei to Mondstadt,
One they agreed on after hearing of today's "operation" while noticing something weird going on...
...
-I understand your concern and promise to make an exception. -She finally said, upon glancing between her two good friends, before turning her gaze towards Collei. -Welcome to Mondstadt, Collei. I hope you enjoy the picnic we prepared. Let's go before the food gets cold.
She warmly added, motioning for everyone to follow her to the huge picnic mat nearby,
Where some people already sat and many dishes were arranged in its middle...
...
-Oh, you have finally joined Klee! You took so much time talking that Klee started getting bored! -The child said in annoyance as soon as everyone sat down, her arms crossed and expression pouting. -You took so long I started worrying that you didn't like the surprise! You meanies!
-Klee was really enthusiastic about making this picnic "the best it could be". -Sophia soon explained, trying not to react to the way Klee tried to appear as "grown-up" as possible and mostly failing, instead looking quite cute. -She even prepared a bunch of her specialty dishes and a "secret present" that...!
-It's Dodoco, Klee's best friend! But not the one that goes boom, since I made a promise with Master Jean! -Klee interrupted, as she soon took the aforementioned "Dodoco" from her Vision's "Hammerspace" and showed it to Collei. -Here! It's a gift for you, Collei! Do you like it?!
She suddenly threw it towards the other, who impulsively caught it in her hands,
And thankfully for everyone, even after moments passed, it didn't blow up upon contact...
-There is no need to worry. By mein Fräulein's order, I made sure to check its safety beforehand! -Oz reassured, as he suddenly appeared near Fischl, before he glanced at the people around. -...Apologies for appearing so suddenly. Mein Fräulein was worried that...
-Not another word, Oz. There is no need for them to know. -Fischl interrupted him, looking and sounding quite serious, yet also slightly embarrassed. No one needed to know she took it upon herself to make sure this picnic goes smoothly...-We should start our picnic. But before we begin eating all the carefully prepared dishes...-She took a small parcel out of her Vision's "Hammerspace", soon giving it to Collei. -I wanted to share my love of literature with you, but I heard that you still have trouble understanding some words. So in the end I chose a few novellas from my earlier childhood collection. The text there is easier to read and there are even small explanations of hard to understand words at the bottom of the pages.
She briefly explained, soon becoming completely quiet,
Eagerly and slightly anxiously waiting for the other's reaction to her gift,
As Collei put the "Dodoco" ball to the side and was carefully opening the parcel, revealing the novellas inside...
*From what the Forest Ranger Trainee could see, most of these novellas were fairy tales, while one was a short romance story...
...
Both this gift and the one given to her by Klee were quite nice,
And she already promised to herself to check them more thoroughly later...
...
-Uh, sorry, Collei. But I don't really have an actual gift for you, since I wasn't sure what you like...-Bennet apologized, looking and sounding quite regretful, before he motioned to some of the food arranged on the mat, mainly Chicken-Mushroom Skewers, Steaks and a Sweet Madame. -...But I helped out by preparing all those dishes. Does that count as a gift...?
-I prepare some food, too. It took time. -Razor added, as he soon took a bowl with a bunch of Puppy-Paw Hash Browns inside. -...Collei, do you like it...?
-...They look cute, yes. Did you shape them yourself...? -She couldn't help but soon ask, upon looking at the paw shaped potatoes. Could he make more shapes...? Oh, wait...She got distracted again...-...Razor, Bennet, thank you for your gifts. This tasty looking food is more than enough for me.
-Klee also made some tasty food for the party! Here, Fish-Flavored Toast, my specialty! -The Pyromaniac suddenly said with a slight pout, as she took the plate with what looked like a bunch of toasts and showed it to Collei, before getting thoughtful for a few seconds. There was another "specialty" dish here, if she remembered correctly...-...Klee saw Fischl also prepare a dish! It has a lot of meat pieces and a weird symbol in the middle!
-It's called "Die Heilige Sinfonie", meaning "The Holy Symphony". It is no mere dish with "a lot of meat pieces and a weird symbol in the middle". -Fischl corrected, looking and sounding a little annoyed, as she motioned to the dish in question. -Not only that, this dish is...
She soon went on a long explanation about the dish, how she came up with it and what the "weird symbol" meant,
The whole thing taking quite a while, since the "Local chuuni" seemed to be quite hurt by Klee's earlier remark...
...
-Collei, while Fischl and Klee are busy, well...-Amber started, slightly distracted by the "lecture" going on in the background, as she soon took a certain plushie out of her Vision's "Hammerspace" and gave it to Collei. -Here, this is my gift for you: an exclusive, custom-made version of Baron Bunny that I sewed myself. Since it's "custom-made", it wouldn't explode, so there is no need to worry!
She made sure to add in reassurance, hoping that her friend liked it,
As Collei soon hugged the plushie tightly, almost burying her face in it...
...
Truthfully, out of every gift she got today,
This plushie Collei loved the most...
...
...
It might have been because Amber made it,
But it was so soft and squishy...~
...
...
She really wouldn't mind sleeping with it~
*This plushie will surely be very nice to cuddle with~
-Captain Eula, the main preparations have just been completed! -Mika gave his report, as he and Noelle were now standing before her, looking determined. -Is there anything else you need? Please, give us your order!
-Yes, if there are any additional preparations to be done, I would gladly do them! -The Knight Trainee added, before she paused for a few seconds upon seeing the other's suddenly weary expression. Was Captain Eula still mad at her for her insubordination yesterday...? -...Once again, I apologize for breaking the rules you assigned me, by needlessly pushing myself two days ago, when I had just returned from my vacation. As stated before, I will accept any punishment you wish to...!
-Noelle, calm down. I am not mad at you. Just tired from the fact you keep pushing yourself. -Eula interrupted her, looking and sounding even more weary now, before she deeply sighed. -"I shall do no less or more than I am ordered to. I shall strive to not only do the work to the best of my abilities, but to do so in moderation, taking breaks and/or asking for help when needed.", those rules were made for the sole purpose of having you take better care of yourself. -She explained, before sighing a little more. -...I hoped that you would be able to follow these rules by now, but I suppose that bad habits wouldn't go away that easily...
She couldn't help but soon mumble in weariness,
Wondering just when Noelle would stop overworking herself...
*Seeing how overly workaholic Noelle was, it was bound to take a while...
...
...
Those two were waiting for her reply...
-Surveyor Mika, Trainee Knight Noelle, you are to take a break now. I will hear no excuses against following this order. -She soon said, trying to sound as strict as possible, especially when she noticed Noelle's surprised expression. -I will tell you later in case there is any work for you to do. You may now leave.
She made sure to add, upon looking between the two,
Her gaze soon stopping on Noelle, who looked quite conflicted...
-We shall follow your order, Captain Eula. -Mika said moments later, as he saluted her, with Noelle mimicking his actions moments later. -I promise to look after Trainee Knight Noelle and make sure she follows this order through.
And with these words, Mika soon led Noelle away,
As Eula surely hoped that they are going to take a break soon...
*Especially Noelle, who still looked a little reluctant as they left...
...
...
Still, thanks to Noelle's help, she and Mika finished the preparations a lot faster than expected,
And now she couldn't help but wonder when Amber and Collei would arrive here...
...
She was glad that they decided to take a picnic break with some friends,
But she also hoped for Collei to see the "special gift" she prepared as soon as possible...