Disclaimer: Genshin Impact and its characters belong to Mi-Hoyo and Hoyoverse; I own nothing.
Cover art by: Reishichi
Throughout Teyvat, the region of Mondstadt was renowned for distinct reasons.
Many cited that its wine was unmatched, hailing the resolute and careful works of the folks behind Dawn Winery. Its collection of ancient ruins held mysticism and promise for generations of scholars hoping to further their understanding of the world, or more specifically earn them a passing grade in their terms. The land itself teemed with beauty and peace, prompting many visitors to arrive, and set down their own roots, never to wander again.
But the most distinct and awe-inspiring locale that held Mondstadt's claim to fame was that of its majestic, and treacherous mountain that rivaled even the serene peaks of Liyue – Dragonspine.
The mountain towered over Teyvat, its snow-topped ranges serving as both beauty to the artist and challenge to the most seasoned, and foolhardy adventurers. Gusting winds came down in regular intervals, greeting all those who dared to tread its slopes with a bitter cold that those hailing from the land of cryo would call "nostalgic."
Dragonspine was as glorious as it was treacherous; only the bravest of adventurers would even attempt the punishing climb or pit themselves against the many denizens that called it home.
Yet, to one intrepid adventurer, the mountain that left others with a sense of awe and hesitation only filled him with excitement. Dragonspine was indeed a deadly, dangerous place that only the foolhardiest would attempt to conquer. Many had tried and many had failed but, while unfortunate, it meant that the greatest of secrets – of adventures merely lay in store for those brave enough to go forth.
He sucked in a deep breath of the chilly air rolling down from the mountain, and placed his hands on his hips with a grin. "Heh."
"A-achoo!"
Bennett flinched, suddenly reminded that it was not simply him who stood poised to tackle the great challenge before him this time.
The young girl who stood a little behind him hugged herself tightly, shivering miserably in the chilly climate. It still baffled him why she had been so insistent to come with him, but he wasn't one to turn down any prospective members of Benny's Adventure Team. "Don't worry, there's a camp not far from here where we can warm up," he offered, walking over to her.
"Th-this c-cold, how a-are y-you not f-freezing?" Barbara whimpered, teeth chattering audibly as she rubbed her arms up and down.
Bennett chuckled.
It wasn't the first time he'd been asked that, and many could only stare in disbelief as he took on the frigid temperatures in nothing but a short-sleeved top and shorts. But those who did never seemed to get farther than the base of the mountain, let alone encompass the rest of it.
"Because this isn't cold, really," he admitted honestly, watching her eyes widen to almost comical proportions. "It can get way colder."
He tried hard not to laugh at the little "eep" she uttered, wiping his nose before turning back to the mountain with a grin.
Oh, what adventures lay in wait today…
"Come on, let's go!"
"W-wait, Bennett! I A-A-ACHOO!"
Hard to believe that he had Albert of all people to thank for scoring him his newest adventure team member.
I'll have to thank him later, once he cools off I guess. He seemed pretty mad for some reason…
/2 hours prior/
"Please let me come with you!"
The sudden plea from Monstadt's idol admittedly caught the adventurer off-guard. He was quite familiar with her since she was the one he usually went to for healing, but she hadn't expressed any interest in accompanying him before. He understood that their passions, while intense, favored different paths – his being an adventurer, and her as a deaconess.
Even so, part of him still yearned to be able to show her some of the awesome sights around the region, and beyond!
But now she wanted to come with him? Anyone else might've been leery of her intentions, but to the guy who had undertaken so many adventures solo?
My luck is really good today! he thought excitedly, his mind already fantasizing on the time ahead.
"Sure you-!"
"-CANNOT!" Albert suddenly stepped in with a roar, getting between the two of them. "Barbara-sama is far too refined to lower herself to your level, Bennett!"
Far from being offended, Bennett considered that statement for a second before giving a thoughtful nod. "Yeah, you're right. Still, it'd be nice…"
Barbara suddenly pushed herself back into view, all but shoving Albert out of the way as she set her gaze solely on Bennett. "Just because I was raised in a church does not mean I'm a princess to be kept in an ivory tower!" she argued, clenching her fists in front of her chest. "The Sisters…" for some reason she paused, letting the statement hang uncertainly for a moment before shaking her head. "I go to Wolvendom frequently to gather herbs, so I'm not lowering myself," she added with a glare in Albert's direction, the boy flinching as if he'd been hit by her.
That was also true, he supposed. And with a Vision of her own, a few hilichurls let alone wolves wouldn't bother her much.
Not that Razor would let'em, heh.
"Well alright then! I was about to turn in this commission and grab another from Katherine here. You can come along if you want."
"Oh, thank you!" Barbara gushed, oddly relieved to go with him for some reason.
Maybe she wanted some time away from the church? He wondered to himself, curious despite his excitement.
"Barbara-sama I must protest this!" Albert piped up, taking her hands in his. "Bennett is notorious for his string of bad luck, and any venture with him is sure to end in tragedy! I cannot in good conscience let you go with him!"
Albert's words did a number on his enthusiasm, admittedly. It wasn't like it was some secret; his unluckiness had made him renowned in Mondstadt for all the wrong reasons. Of course they felt bad and made it obvious that they pitied him, but it didn't bother him much. Every day was an adventure after all.
Even so…
"He's also brave enough to face down most threats the likes you couldn't hope to deal with, like those whopper flowers!" Babara spoke up in his defense, making him tune back into the exchange. "Whose fault do you think it was that they nearly hurt someone at the church yesterday?"
"Wait, what happened at the church?" he tried to ask, but Barbara was already going off again.
"And since when could you decide where I can and cannot go, hmmm?"
Albert visibly quailed, struggling to produce some kind of defense only for Barbara to spin away with a huff.
"So," she asked as she walked up, smiling at him, "which commission are we taking?"
/Present/
The closer they got to the mountain, the chillier it got, to the point where his own breathing came out in soft puffs of smoke. Each breeze felt almost like that cryo slime that landed on him that one time, albeit without the impending threat of death. A quick glance behind him let him know that his newest team member was keeping up, still hugging herself tightly, teeth chattering all the way.
I guess we should've grabbed those coats while we were in Springvale. I'm so used to being on my own it didn't even occur to me that she might need one, he mused with a slight frown before he noticed lights up ahead.
"The camp's close, come on!"
A short jog later and they were safely within the main base camp at the base of the mountain. The sun had long since been dwarfed by the clouds that hung about this area of the region, leaving the area around them under the cover of night despite it being daytime. Although the camp had seen a recent influx of activity, it was not as crowded as he'd expected it apart from a few faces from the guild he recognized. They clearly recognized him of course, since they all turned away in a rush before he could think of introducing himself to them. Aw well, maybe he could try some other time when they weren't busy.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Barbara gravitating towards the makeshift cafeteria set up nearby, specifically towards the roaring stove. "Warmth! Sweet warmth!" she nearly sobbed, stretching her hands out towards the flames.
"Not used to the climate, are ya missy?" the camp's chef chortled, crossing his arms. "Don't feel too sore about it. Not many frequent this part of the region anyhow except the brave and foolish. We tend to get a little of the latter, more often than not though those come in surprising packages," he added with a glance towards Bennett.
"Hey Harris! Any chance we could get some grub before we head out?" the adventurer asked, grinning widely.
"Head out? Kid, tell me you aren't going to tackle the mountain again. You're lucky we found you at all last time!"
"L-last time?" Barbara interjected, her teeth still chattering a bit. "What happened last time?" Her concern was obvious even through her frigid state, but Bennett just shrugged.
"Ah, nothing too dangerous. Someone posted a commission to do some scouting on the southern face of Dragonspine, and since no one wanted it, I took it."
"For good reason. That part of the peak is hilichurl central, plus we've heard reports of the Abyss Order scouring the ruins for something over there," Harris chided him with a shake of his head. "By the time we found him, the kid was almost an icicle!"
"Eh, could've been worse. Anyways, have you seen a lady named Esther? She posted a commission recently and I wanted to get some more info about it."
Harris gave him a withering look before he gave a sigh, rubbing his temples. "You mean that geologist nut? Last I heard she was still looking for ways to get closer to the mountain without the knights spotting her. That lady's got a few screws loose, kid. I'd steer clear of her."
"Sounds to me like she's just passionate about her interests," Bennett disagreed with a smirk. "Can't fault her for that, can ya?"
Harris didn't look convinced but he seemed to realize arguing would be a waste of energy. "Your funeral, kid. I've got some leftovers if you want'em."
"Sounds great. Barbara, I'll grab us some seats – you can grab yours first when it's ready, if you want."
"B-but I'm not-?"
"Oh shoot! I should get my blade worked on while I'm here! Hey, old man, can you work on this for me!"
Barbara watched the boy hurry off towards the other end of the camp, waving his sword around like he was a little kid. But in truth, that was part of what made Bennett so special – his innate innocence and passion for life were gifts to be treasured, despite his luck.
It is still better than being stuck dealing with Albert back in the city, she thought, before a pang of guilt ran through her. Ooh, maybe I was too harsh back there? After all, it wasn't like he meant to hurt me or anything.
Not you, anyways, she reminded herself in a hiss.
She winced.
She really needed to talk to him when she cooled off… well, more than she already had. She had not been prepared for the cold here…
"I gotta say, didn't think I'd see him with someone the likes of you," Harris remarked, giving her a once over. "I thought deaconesses were bound to the church and all?"
Though the reminder of recent events stung, she still managed to drum up some of her residual pride to answer him, "We go wherever the wind needs us," she recited, relishing in the warmth that soothed her frosty fingers.
"I ain't prodding, and it's none of my business anyway. But if you're going along with him," Harris paused, gesturing to where Bennett was in an animated discussion with the old blacksmith nearby, "you might need more than prayer to look after the two of you."
"You don't believe in the will of Barbatos?" she questioned, not out of hostility but rather curiosity. He might've been the first one she'd met that didn't wholeheartedly look up to the anemo archon.
"I've never been much into faith, miss deaconess. Faith doesn't keep you or your family fed when it counts, does it?"
It pained her that she did not have an immediate answer for that.
Fortunately, she didn't have to have one since Harris just sighed again. "Look, I'm just a cook trying to help keep some folks from starving before they head off to what might be their doom. Making sure they have a good warm meal before all that ugliness is what I live for – that's my belief, at least. Don't dwell on it too much. You'll give yourself wrinkles, girlie."
It was that remark that had her temper rearing its ugly head, only to have two warm bowls all but shoved into her hands. It wasn't until the delectable aroma tickled her nostrils that she gave up on any retribution. Even if she wasn't that hungry, her stomach made sure its protest was noted.
"Best eat up while you can," Harris said with a grin. "The mountain is notorious for sapping your strength, and I'd hate to see it claim two more victims today."
Barbara gave him one last withering look before she rose up and hurried over to where Bennett now sat, the boy absolutely beaming once he saw what she held in her hands. After passing him his food, she couldn't help but watch as Bennett tore into his meal with all the table manners of a wild boar.
"Have you… eaten at all today?" she couldn't help but ask, before she gave herself a gentle mental smack.
How tactless of her!
The boy paused mid-bite to reply, mouth still full of goulash, "Eh, just a few cabbages I found earlier."
"That's all?!" she gasped, horrified.
"That's usually all I need. But I can't pass up the chance at goulash!"
"T-that's not the point! You should be eating much more than just a few vegetables a day!"
Bennet just grinned lopsidedly. "Yeah, I should. But it's kinda hard to find food out there sometimes."
Not according to their mutual friend, it was not, but that was unimportant.
"Then, since you agreed to let me come with you, I'll fix us something to eat later that you are sure to love."
"Really?! Thanks Barbara! I'm already looking forward to it!"
Barbara beamed in return, his smile infectious.
If she was going to be traveling with him, it wouldn't do for him to pass out from hunger while on such a dangerous commission.
Speaking of which…
Her smile slowly dimmed a bit as she fiddled with her spoon. "Uh, I'm surprised you haven't asked me yet."
"Hm? Asked what?"
Withholding a sneer at his egregious lack of table manners, she sighed. "Please swallow before speaking, Bennett." The boy did as she asked, giving an audible gulp before offering her a curious expression. "I was referring to the sudden request to join you."
Bennett blinked a few times before his mouth formed into an O shape. "Oh that? I did think it was a bit out of the blue," he remarked, which made her tense up, expecting a rebuttal. "But I'm sure you had your reasons."
Barbara stared, incredulous.
That was it? He really didn't want to ask her why, or why she'd been running from Albert?
"I just… I can't believe how well you're taking all of this," she admitted, rubbing her arm a bit for reasons that had little to do with the cold this time. "I thought you'd be a bit more upset."
"You're being too hard on yourself," Bennett told her suddenly, eliciting a trill of shock from her. "Upset? Why would I be!? Benny's Adventure Team finally has a new recruit and I intend to show you the best adventuring experience I can give!"
"But… what if I slow you down?"
Perhaps she was being too negative right now, but she couldn't help it. Her heart was still mending from the sudden excusal from the church.
"Funny, that's what I was going to say," he laughed, earning a surprised look from her. "But I guess we'll both have to keep pace if we want to do this, huh?"
As the boy dug back into his food with gusto, she slowly began to view this courageous, albeit troublesome boy in a new light. He was always so cheerful, so optimistic about everything despite his reputation.
Maybe I should take a page from his book, she mused before allowing a smile of her own.
Dwelling on what happened wouldn't make it go away, after all. The only thing she could do now was keep moving forward.
"Hey, if you aren't gonna eat, can I have yours?" Bennett suddenly asked, reaching for her bowl…
With quick hands, she took her bowl out of his reach and took a bite, giggling at his crestfallen face. "Nope! Mine~!"
"Aww."
The giggles came easily to her now, dispelling the dark thoughts that had been permeating her mood for the last few hours.
The clouds above might've mirrored her past emotions, but now that resembled the challenge that loomed before the two of them.
Adventuring wasn't exactly her choice of past times, but adventuring with Bennett?
No matter what, it was sure to be an unforgettable experience.
The gang's all here! Benny boy is sure to provide our lovable deaconess with some unforgettable experiences, indeed.
Next chapter should be a might bit longer, but we'll see. I'm still recovering from that back to back 9 hour shift I pulled this week, plus HAZWOPER training.
Till then,
Take care.