"I know there's something off about this world. From all the worlds we have traveled through, Teyvat somehow feels the fakest...", the Traveler admitted a minute or two later, before they glanced towards Cyno, moments later turning their gaze towards Samir, "...If you want, I can discuss this with you later. But at the moment..."
"...In case it is part of Forbidden Knowledge, I don't fault you for not sharing this info. On the contrary, I am grateful that you are taking this as seriously as myself and the organization does.", Cyno reassured, looking and sounding glad, before his expression fell a little, "...I have a friend, a senior classmate from my time at the Akademiya, who paid dearly for her pursuit of knowledge. Her life was cut short and she ultimately left her studies and Sumeru. After hearing what happened to her during the last half year, she surely doesn't have much time left...", he sadly mumbled, before deeply sighing, "...Let's just continue the retelling from where we left off. Tadhla, one of the Tanit clan's Falcons, is staying in the Temple of Silence base at the moment.", he added moments later, looking and sounding serious now, "She was away on a mission when her tribe was massacred by Samail and the Thutmose, only returning way after the slaughter took place. Since the Traveler and their group stayed at the camp last, Tadhla thought that they were the ones who butchered her tribesmen and made it her goal to track the group down in order to enact her revenge. And eventually, she arrived at the entrance of the base."
"...Ugh, Paimon still remembers how enraged she looked back then, when she tried to force open the door!", the Pixie soon commented, looking a little scared, "Tadhla kept yelling "Come out, you murderers or I am going to force you out myself!", all the while she tried to blow up the door with her Anemo infused bow attacks and her bird summon thing!"
"...From what I saw, it was "The Spirit of Omen: Wind Glede" that she summoned, which looks akin to a Vulture.", Samir admitted, looking and sounding thoughtful, "...Yes, as if by coincidence(which I am certain was no mere coincidence), the attack happened just when I got back from Aaru village with Liloupar.", he simply explained, before his expression turned a little sad, "...Seeing her like this, without any other purpose in life, other than revenge...I was reminded of the call around a week ago. Do you still remember what I said about Samail's massacre of the Tanit, Venti...?"
...
"...As crazy as Samail was, I have to admit that he did something good for once. That place was full of dirty sinners and their marionettes, after all.
...What is wrong with what I just said, Traveler...? You know as well as I do that "reprogramming" someone like the "Falcons" is bound to be incredibly hard, if it even works to begin with. Especially during the current crisis...
They have been taught to "serve their master with all their heart and soul" from a very young age, for way too long. Without any intervention, it would be impossible for them to suddenly be able to live for themselves and even with intervention, they might just latch onto you as their "new master". A life like that...You understand why it can't be called a good one, right?"
...
Venti did remember, yes...
*And since Samir was asking about this now...
-...Did you decide to take her in, after all, informing the Temple of Silence members of this decision...? -He couldn't help but soon ask, looking and sounding quite thoughtful. -...But seeing that it would be hard to "reprogram" a Falcon, like you stated before, as well as how Tadhla acted just earlier...Hysterically trying to break down the door and yelling in rage...
"...After a small discussion, they agreed to my idea. On a few conditions, that is.", Samir ended for him, looking and sounding quite serious, "The main one is that she is to follow the order's rules and do whatever myself, Cyno and the order members ask of her."
"And that's when she was taken into a "separate room", in order to have a "thorough talk". Paimon still remembers the murderous glare Tadhla was giving Traveler and Paimon! Paimon was afraid she was going to kill Paimon in Paimon's sleep!", the Pixie added, visibly shuddering, before her expression turned a little confused moments later, "...But when she returned from the "separate room" a few minutes later, Tadhla no longer looked like she wanted to kill Paimon. Instead she looked kind of down...?"
"...While in the interrogation room, we made sure to explain the situation to her. Both about how her tribe truly perished and what awaits her now.", Cyno explained, looking and sounding quite serious, "...After proposing 'Samir's idea to her, as well as the organization's conditions, we gave her time to think everything through. All the while, she kept silently looking in a certain god's direction. I wouldn't be surprised if she had already realized it...", his words soon trailed off, as his expression turned thoughtful, "...After some more silence and staring from her side, she agreed to the plan and the conditions presented, saying that this is the only purpose for her life now. Afterwards she apologized for how she acted before, all the while still looking towards a certain god's direction..."
"...She must have realized how handsome I was and just couldn't keep her eyes away~", Samir added in amusement, making a pose as he did so, a "situation" which continued for a few more moments, "...I am simply joking. Rather than finding me (understandably) handsome, she probably decided I was her new master. Which would have been alright with me if she was a Jinni (who are like THAT on a fundamental level), but since she is a human..."
"...A lot of time will have to pass before she learns to live for herself, right...? With enough therapy and rehabilitation, hopefully in the end she would be free from her brainwashing.", the Traveler ended, looking and sounding quite thoughtful, before their expression shifted to a grateful one, "...Still, thank you for taking her in, Samir. If you didn't vouch for her, suggesting that idea..."
"...Then you would have surely done so yourself, Traveler. Mainly since her situation remind you of your own Twin's, isn't that right...?", the other god ended for them, to which the Traveler looked a little sad, "...It might have taken a little more time and effort if I didn't "vouch" for her, but I am certain you would have found a way to take her in yourself, so there is no need to thank me.", he added in reassurance, which made the Traveler look a little better, "...Besides, I might have officially "taken her in", but Jeht is the one who is helping her now. And knowing Jeht, sooner or later, she will definitely succeed in opening her new friend's heart."
...
Knock Knock!
"...Is it just Paimon, or did someone just knock on the door...? And it's from the Tone Deaf Bard's side...?", the Pixie wondered moments later, looking and sounding a little confused, "... Didn't you tell them not to disturb you...?"
"Librarian Lisa has just arrived", the Winds informed, having been eerily quiet until now.
-You can come in, Lisa. -Venti said moments later, as the door to the room soon opened and a familiar woman came in. -You surely know about my current discussion with the Traveler and...-His words trailed off, as she took out a small package out of her Vision's "Hammerspace" and pulled out its contents. -...Is that...Is that a bag of newly made alcoholic sweets, which includes Dandelion Wine, Apple Cider and both of those heavenly drinks fused together in a delicate and harmonious blend...?~
"Yeah, our "retelling session" is definitely over now.", the Traveler commented, sounding more amused than anything and when Venti turned to glance towards them, their expression clearly mirrored their tone, "...Seeing as Lisa brought such an "incredible gift", there's a favor she wants you to do for her, right...?"
"...I would expect no less from my former classmate.", Cyno commented next, looking and sounding pretty serious.
-Good day to you too, Cyno. It has been a while since we last talked. -Lisa said back, as she looked towards the other through the "viewing window", her expression soon turning serious. -I also need to discuss something with you, if you don't mind. -She simply said, the eerie undertone almost impossible to hear, before she noticed a new face. One that was very nice to look at~ -...Oh, my, and who is this handsome gentleman by your side?~
She soon asked in amusement and clear tease,
To which Samir smugly grinned, before making a pose...
-This is what you are planning on doing?! Don't you realize how much it would affect everyone?! -Seamus couldn't help but yell out in shock, as he was looking between Albedo and Emilia in disbelief. -Even though Lisa studied in Sumeru for two years, after her return she became close to many people, including our Archon. If you truly plan to go about it this way...!
-I understand why Librarian Lisa chose this way to pass away. It would surely be a shock to many at first, but with enough time that ticks by, the wounds will surely heal. -Frederica interrupted him, looking and sounding quite calm, much to her (former) husband's shock. -...I also agree with the overall plan. In the long run, as long as Lisa herself is fine with the burden that might be placed on her mind, this course of action should be the best one yet. -She admitted in all seriousness, before smiling slightly. -...Death and the eventual rebirth, by the way of extracting, saving and inserting memories, if this plan succeeds...
-...I would be able to continue living as a human, yet never truly "leave". I might slightly change during my new life, yet thanks to having my current memories as Lisa Minci, fundamentally I would still remain myself. -Lisa ended the explanation, looking and sounding quite serious, as well as grateful. -...This way, I should still be able to continue having fun with everyone, right...?
"...If something goes wrong, the huge input of information could overwhelm your mind.", Cyno noted, looking and sounding quite serious, as well as a little concerned, "...If you are not careful, your personality, both the current one and the possible future one, might get utterly..."
-I was recognized as Sumeru Akademiya's most distinguished graduate in 200 years. So whatever happens, I should be just fine. I can take it, Cyno. -Lisa interrupted him, looking and sounding reassuring, before she paused in thought. Ever since they started their discussion, she noticed something different about Cyno...He was more serious than usual, as well as a little detached. It felt as if he was purposely hiding his current feelings...-...I heard about the crisis that Sumeru is currently going through. The whole situation is taking its toll on you, isn't it...?
She soon asked, making sure to sound as firm as possible,
And taking into account Cyno's long silence, she was right...
*Clearly, what the Traveler and the rest told was not the whole story...
...
Still, she was glad that they granted her sudden request,
Letting her speak one-on-one with Cyno...
*The Traveler and the rest were so adorably nice~
...
...
"...I am affected by what is currently going on, I admit to that. In more ways that one...", Cyno finally answered, looking mostly calm, yet also a little nervous and concerned, "...As the General Mahamatra and "Lord Atharva's bodyguard"(Not like he really needs one), I already knew, to an extent, of the Akademiya's, Azar's and his subordinates' many sins. Then, the "Sabzeruz Festival situation" happened and it went downhill from there...", he explained, before wearily sighing, "...I have also been having some very realistic dreams lately, ever since I saw that "recording" with Priest Kasala...It got way worse when "Samir" started to appear more and more in his "true from" and began telling more about his "past life"...I actually understood his words from when his power went out of control...But each time myself or anyone else mentions "Priest Kasala", he just...", his words suddenly trailed off, as he heavily sighed moments later, "...That Ill Dottore and what he did to Collei...If any of his "segments" were here now, I would have gladly unloaded all of my stress and rage on him...", he darkly added, his expression turning quite murderous, before he sighed in annoyance moments later, "...A shame that it's going to take some time to "catch" and bring one of these to the base..."
-...So you already found one and just need to "detain" it...? -Lisa asked almost right away, already getting the picture of what was going on. -...And for whatever reason (perhaps because you will try murdering it then and there), the elders of the Temple of Silence forbid you to hunt it yourself...
"...Yes, so now all I can do is wait while they catch that...", Cyno admitted in annoyance and some rage, before his words trailed off, once again, "...It was also decided not to tell "Samir" about this. "Let him focus on what he wants to do and is already doing", while WE are going to punish THAT..."Thing"."
...
"Miss Lisa, before you start talking about grown-up stuff, I have a question first.
...Can Klee blow up this "Dottore" meanie that made Amber, Collei and Auntie Eula sad?"
-Klee would have loved to join in a "Dottore hunting" squad. -Lisa couldn't help but comment moments later, remembering that PARTICULAR occasion. -...Seeing how much she came to hate that..."Person" after what he did to Collei, I would not be surprised if she created a huge bomb for this very purpose~