Christmas in Teyvat: A Genshin Impact Holiday
Part 01: Choosing the Right Tree
After making our plans with Furina and Neuvilette, I went with Paimon back to Mondstadt for our own special Christmas tree to set up in our teapot home. Before that, we paid Tubby a quick visit to ask if there would be a way to have it snow within the realm. To my surprise, she said it would be as easy as using the Omni-Ubiquity Net to bring animals inside. But we would need a sample of snow from outside for her to work her magic. With that in mind, it made it crystal clear where the two of us should go next. We soon found ourselves on the snowy landscape of Dragonspine to not only find our tree, but to also bring Tubby a snow sample. As she floated by my side, Paimon slightly shivered.
"BBBRRRR! Paimon forgot how COLD it gets here! Why couldn't you have gone while she waited back in Mondstadt?! Paimon could be enjoying a Sweet Madame at Good Hunter!" she whined to me. I glimpsed back at her.
What? I wanted to make sure I found a tree that satisfied Paimon's tastes too. It shouldn't take us too long.
Paimon still did not buy my explanation and looked away with arms crossed. I heavily sighed.
If you'll tough it out for a little longer, I'll buy you a Sweet Madame and anything else you want when we get back to Mondstadt. Deal?
In no time at all, my little friend's personality perked right back up as she had a glimmer in her eyes. Having traveled with her so long, I could read Paimon like a book and knew what it took to get her compliance. We continued up the mountain with an axe over my shoulder to find a nice round tree. To our surprise, we soon came across Albedo up ahead with Klee. When we exchanged glances, we both waved to one another.
"Honorary Knight! Paimon! It's GREAT to see you again!" Klee clapped.
"Greetings to you both. What brings you to Dragonspine?" Albedo asked, getting straight to the point. I set my axe down.
We're not here on any commission or anything like that. We're actually looking for a tree to set up in our house. Have you seen any lush pine trees around here?
"Yeah! Hurry up and tell us so Paimon can enjoy her Sweet Madame!" Paimon continued. Klee lightly giggled as Albedo paused to think.
"Let me think…a good number of the local fauna have lost their foliage due to the cold. But if you're looking for a pine tree, I may know where I last saw some. Follow me." he said. We took his invite and, along with Klee, followed Albedo down a different path towards the mountain's base. He took us to an opening amidst the woods and pointed out a small gathering of pine trees covered in snow. The winds gently shook their branches.
"Do any of these meet your criteria, Traveler?" Albedo asked. I approached the trees with Paimon and asked her to inspect them for any openings in the branches while I checked them from the front. It took little time for us to find a good match for what I was looking for. I then cut it down with my axe before opening the top of the Serenitea Pot, letting Tubby's magic pull it inside. I also scooped up a handful of white snow and slipped it inside afterwards.
Well, Paimon…we're all done here. We can head back to town.
"Whoopee! Goodbye freezing cold! Hello pipin' hot Sweet Madame!" she cheered loudly. We were also joined by Albedo and Klee in returning to the city thereafter, taking up a table together at Good Hunter. On the way back, I told them about our plans of a "Christmas celebration" at not just our home, but also in the Nation of Hydro and Justice. I finished up just as Paimon began scarfing down her "well earned" Sweet Madame.
"So, Christmas is a holiday from your homeland? I admit that I have never heard of anyone in Teyvat celebrating as you described. As you already know, the Windblume Season is our biggest celebratory event." Albedo said.
"Sounds like loads of fun! Almost as much fun as fish blasting!" Klee added. I chuckled before handing out a pair of envelopes to both of them.
That's why I'm giving you these. They're invites to attend the celebration we're having in Fontaine. To make it easier for travel, I worked something out in advance with our teapot spirit to help our guests make the trip…if you have the time, I mean.
"For the time being, I do not believe I nor the other captains in the Knights of Favonius have any important events in the coming days. If Master Jean approves your invite, I'm sure it will be fine for the rest of us." he continued. Klee said she would come with us as to "convince" Jean to join, saying she was "half sure" of her begging talents. I chuckled and shook my head, saying it would be fine.
~ Genshin ~
Saying goodbye to Albedo, Klee accompanied us to the Knights of Favonius HQ. As we entered through the front doors and into the halls, to my surprise, we quickly found Jean outside her office talking to Lisa.
"Hmm? Well, look who came for a visit." Jean said, having caught sight of us. Lisa giggled.
"Hello there, cuties. Did you come all the way to see us? Or is there some matter of importance to this delightful visit?" she asked, teasing me ever slightly. Paimon crossed her arms.
"Hoo boy. Lisa can see right through us, can't she?" she said "NOTHING surprises her." Klee ran up to Jean's side and grabbed her hand.
"Master Jean! The Honorary Knight and Paimon invited me and Albedo to a fun party! Can we go? Pretty please? Y-You can come too!" she explained in a hurry, hoping her puppy dog eyes would help. Jean chuckled before looking our way again.
"Well…perhaps our Honorary Knight might do the honors in explaining what this "fun party" is for?" she asked. We paused for a moment as I went over the celebrations involved with Christmas and how we were holding a party not just at our home in the teapot, but also managed to entice the higher ups of Fontaine in celebrating too. I then took out the invites I had prepared for them from my pocket.
"Oh my. This sounds like it would be a fun excuse from work. And I'm sure the Knights don't have any "major plans" for the forseeable future, right Ms. Grand Master?" she asked while slipping a sly look to Jean. Feeling a bit pressured by Klee and now Lisa, Jean took a step back and cleared her throat.
"A-As our dear Librarian just pointed out, we do indeed have…no plans or events. So, I do not see a reason to deny your request. Thank you, Honorary Knight and Paimon. We look forward to it." she said, accepting her invite. Lisa quietly giggled as Klee exploded with excitement.
Okey dokey then. If you'll excuse us, we have a few other invites to pass out. And now that we have the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius' favor, I'm sure the others won't have a reason to deny either.
Jean glimpsed my way, a light shade of red under her eyes, before shaking her head. With their attendance secured, the two of us then went on a brief travel between the locals around Mondstadt and Springvale to deliver the rest of our invites. It took a while to track down those who went out of town, but everyone we spoke to was excited in their each own ways.
Mona: A…"Christmas" party, you say? Hmm. I did not forsee this in my scry glass today. However, I am quite intrigued. I look forward to it. Thank you.
Amber: No complaints from me! See you then, Traveler and Paimon!
Barbara: It sounds like a lot of fun! And if my sister plans to join, I certainly won't refuse. Actually, I've secretly wanted to visit the Nation of Hydro once myself. I've heard stories of the performances put on by their Archon…I wonder if I'll get to meet her.
Rosaria: Hmm. This ought to be a good excuse to get out of choir practice. Thanks you two.
Kaeya: Oh ho. The Honorary Knight is holding a party in a nation as lavish as Fontaine, are they? Well, I certainly do not intend to miss out…especially since Jean has forsaken her work for it.
Diluc: As long as it isn't too big of a ruckus…or a certain "somebody" doesn't try to start something stupid…I'd be glad to come. Thank you, Traveler.
Sucrose: I-I heard about this before from Master Albedo. If you…really wouldn't mind having me, I..I'd be glad to join.
Benny: Aw heck yeah! This sounds like a blast! What about you, Razor?
Razor: Hmm! Give Razor a chance…to talk with others…improve speaking skills. Thank you…
Noelle: If Master Jean approves, of course I'll come!
Mika: T-Thank you for the invite, Honorary Knight. I'd be honored to join your party. I…I just hope Miss Eula is available as well.
Eula: W-Well…so long as this is not some sort of trickery…then…count me in. Hmm? And what are YOU laughing at, Paimon? Tsk. Do NOT bring the wrath of my vengeance upon yourself!
Diona: As long as there aren't going to be any DRUNKARDS…
Fischl: What a glorious and magnificent extravaganza one has presented to thy Princess! Indeed! One could not forget to extend a favor of good will to none other than…
Oz: What Mein Fraulein means to say is…we accept and are looking forward to it, Traveler.
Fischl: (Scoff) Do NOT interrupt, Oz!
Venti: Ho ho! Now THIS sounds like a party I DO NOT WANT TO MISS! Heh heh! You can be sure as the winds blow that this noble bard shall attend!
Once all the invites were passed to everyone, I returned to the teapot with Paimon to see about our home as well as the tree we selected from Dragonspine. Both of us were surprised to see our once green plains covered in snow. Also to my surprise, as soon as we walked in the front door, the tree was now standing proudly in the middle of the room in a tree stand with a beautiful Teyvat original quilt around the base. Tubby glanced our way from the entryway.
"Is all to your liking, Master?" she asked.
Yeah. It really is. Thanks, Tubby. If you wouldn't mind, perhaps you'd like to join me and Paimon in decorating? It doesn't have quite that "festive cheer" Christmas has yet. But I'm sure the three of us will suffice.
"Yeah. If we're inviting our friends from across Teyvat, we gotta make sure this place blows their socks off! Hee hee hee! Paimon can't wait!" Paimon exclaimed with glee.
~ PART 01 - COMPLETE ~