Tubby's Notes:

Name: Layla

Occupation: Akademiya Student

Profile: Sleepy, tired, stressed, and utterly brilliant. Don't underestimate this girl. She competed in a contest against Tighnari, Cyno, Faruzan, Wanderer, and Kaveh and managed to perform exceedingly well. She's smart and persistent.

She's a kuudure and she had low self-esteem. I don't understand why she thinks so lowly of herself when her accomplishments are quite remarkable.

Unlikely to cause problems in the UHA. However, beware of "daytime" Layla.

She was a failure. Sitting at that desk, rereading her outline, the thought kept echoing through her head. Layla, you are a failure. Two hours, and she still couldn't decide on a thesis. She had several observations related to the celestial bodies, but she couldn't find that golden thread tying it all together.

She didn't have an essay, much less a blueprint. She couldn't do this.

Aether came to the table. He placed a cup of tea on her desk, along with some candied nuts.

"Oh, thank you," she said gloomily.

He circled her. His thumbs dug into her shoulder blades, easing her tension. Layla purred at his touch, which was practically a heating pad for her backache.

"Layla," he said gently. "When the Herbad criticized your arguments on Theoretical Astrology, you rose to the challenge and refuted him."

She nodded, remembering that back and forth. It eventually led to her getting a Vision.

"When you represented your Darshan in the Inter-Darshan Championship, how did you do?"

"Okay. I guess."

"You did brilliantly. You held your own against the most brilliant and talented people in Sumeru. That's a fact."

He moved on to massaging her temples. Those fingers eased the headache she'd been suffering. Her brain started to sigh with content. Aether kept rubbing her down as he spoke.

"Remember that dissertation you had to give two months ago? The one that made you say, 'I'm doomed, I'm doomed, I'm doomed?' Remind me. How did it go?"

"I ngh passed."

"Your professor said it was and I quote, 'one of the most well-formulated arguments he's ever heard.' You got top marks," he said, beaming. "Last week's exam? You studied hard and did amazing. Three weeks ago, you had a lab study that most students fail on their first try. You nailed it. You take on every challenge that comes your way and you thrive! That's who you are."

Layla's cheeks reddened. Getting praised by Teyvat's hero improved her mood, even if she didn't entirely believe him. Still, he had a point. She had succeeded more often than not. Why couldn't she succeed at this too?

"Thanks. Whew. I feel better now. But I still need a thesis."

Aether sat down beside her.

"Well, what's your topic?"

"Um… I'm torn between Theoretical Astronomy, Cosmic Astrology, and Celestial Cosmology… I tracked the movements of certain celestial bodies in relation to larger cosmological bodies. I'm trying to relate those observations back to theoretical astrology, but I don't see how…"

"Do you have some ideas how? Maybe a little brainstorming will give you some direction. Just, write down anything that comes to your mind. Even if it's word vomit."

Layla gave it a try. Writing down ideas and observations without overthinking everything proved liberating. After a while, she had a few promising connections. Yes, a little more ironing out and she'd be well on her way.

Layla grinned. "Thanks, Aether."

"I didn't do anything. This was all you."

Aether kissed her cheek. He got up and left her to her studies. Layla noticed a thin book folded into his back pocket. The book had been titled: Essays For Dummies: How to Write an Akademia-Worthy Paper. Several sticky notes jutted out from the pages.

Layla smiled.

Aether was half-right. Maybe she did rise to every challenge that came her way. But she was lucky to have friends backing her up every step of the way.

Layla bit her lip, "Um…Aether? Tonight?"

"I'll see you then!"

He left her to her work. Quietly, she rubbed her thighs in anticipation. Tonight, they'd spend a fun time together. Now, she had all the motivation she needed to nail out this essay. Layla threw herself into the task, motivated by academic fervor and plain old hormones.