"Welcome to my workshop. Please have a seat, I will fetch some tea so we may discuss your request." The woman with blue hair and glasses greets you as you walk in. "Otherwise, feel free to peruse." She adds, noting your look of confusion at mention of a request. She returns from down the hallway with a tray of tea and snacks. When asked, she only smiled slightly. "I don't like to serve tea without snacks. That would be like going into battle without a weapon." She places the tray down, sitting across from you in a blue armchair.
"Snacks!" Paimon cheers while you thank the woman.
"You don't need to thank me. Now. What can I do for you?" You ask her about her, surprising her. "Oh... You must be the Traveler that everyone had been mentioning took care of the Stormterror Incident. I heard you would come looking for me eventually. My name is Mieko, though I'm sure someone must have told you already. Was it Jean? Lisa?" When you mention that it was actually Albedo, her cheeks tint pink. "O-Oh. I see. Well then." She clears her throat. "If Albedo sent you... it must be important." Albedo's description was right on the mark. A hint of self-depreciating, a rather chilly disposition, and right to business. You didn't expect to see her react to mention of Albedo by blushing.
"Are you and Albedo friends?" Paimon asks.
"I... I certainly like to think so." She replied. "In any case. What did you need fixed? Albedo wouldn't have sent you my way for nothing." You explain to her that you wanted help fixing something on your person, and she does the work very quickly. Albedo was right about her being a workaholic too. Time to help him out with the favor he asked for.
"So, Miss Mieko."
"You can drop the Miss, Paimon. Mie is fine."
"Then, Mie. Care to tell us about yourself?"
"Ah." Her lips curled up into a small smile. Traveler knew in that second she'd seen through their attempt at making friends with her like Albedo had asked. "Very well... That Albedo, always going out of his way..." She sighed. "I will apologize in advance for any tears I shed. This story is not pleasant for me. Let me start from the beginning."
"I was born in Inazuma. But I was held to the high standards of a large, prosperous Inazuman family. Even as a child, I sought freedom. I set off to Mondstat with letters from my grandmother and a map from my grandfather."
"Alone?" Paimon questioned
"Of course not, I was 12." Mieko chuckled "One of my cousins escorted me at a distance, keeping an eye on me and making sure I was safe. Grandfather caught him following me around, but I did most of everything on my own."
"So then what?" Paimon asked.
"Well, then I met a girl around my age named Yuki. Her parents had come from Inazuma, but Yuki had been born in Mondstat. We were nearly inseparable after day 1, like sisters. We were friends for 3 years… However, that happiness was short-lived."
"What happened?" Traveler questioned in a soft voice.
"Yuki died suddenly after collapsing outside the city gate and being taken to the church, when we were 15. Even prayers to Barbatos couldn't save her. I cried for days. And then… I received my vision. I held onto it for dear life, like I wish I could have for Yuki. People called it a 'silver lining' and... It made me so angry. If I could have thrown the vision away, I would have." She added. "But... my grandmother told me to think of it as a way to remember Yuki... so I kept it."
"That's so sad. You just lost her, and people were saying insensitive stuff like that?" Paimon asked.
"Yes, well... It happened... So, unfortunately..." Mieko reached up to wipe away her forming tears. "I'm sorry, it's been a while since I talked about it."
"Please, take your time." Traveler said, letting her calm down.
"In any case." Mieko said after a few moments. "That's about all that's noteworthy, aside from me being a shop keeper." She smiled at Traveler. "Did you want to ask anything else?"
"Well, actually... I did want to hear the whole story. About you, and Yuki. And the aftermath. Albedo said you would cut yourself short..." Traveler admitted, Mieko nodding.
"Very well." She sighed. "Then we shall continue the story. Please, don't hesitate to help yourself to more snacks and tea."
After the Traveler left, Mieko sighed to herself. "Albedo, huh? I was wondering why he asked if I minded talking about Yuki to others." She shook her head, smiling and gently removing the red ribbon from her hair. "Somehow, though… It always makes me feel better, even if I cry." She chuckled. "Perhaps I'll go and surprise Albedo with something sweet? It's been a while since I visited him." She turned, heading to her kitchen after retying her hair. "Now, what to make him?"
"Albedo." The blonde alchemist had been so immersed in his sunset painting that he failed to notice Mieko walking up next to him. She was bundled up in her shawl and carrying a small box.
"Oh, Mie. Welcome. To what do I owe the pleasure?" He asked, placing his brush down on the easel. "Are you that cold?"
"I am. I didn't think anything of it when i started walking up here, but I didn't sleep well last night. So it's a little overwhelming."
"Then let's go back to camp. We can warm up there." He took her hand and lead her to his camp, letting her sit close to the fire and draping a blanket over her shoulders.
"Thank you."
"No need to thank me." he sat next to her, talking for a while. "Oh, so Traveler did stop by?" He nodded. "What did you think of them?"
"They are very kind." She smiled. "And perceptive."
"No other observations?"
"Not yet. I only had to pour out my past to them at your request." She chuckled.
"Ah, did it upset you?"
"No." She shook her head, taking his hand. "It just… It was a lot for one day."
"Ah. My apologies. Shall I compensate you with some Sunshine Sprat? Or would you prefer Mora? Materials forged into parts for your jewelry?" He asked, letting her hold his hand.
"A hug will do just fine." She said softly.
"Ah. Yes, as per the agreement." He nodded, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and holding her close to him, letting her lean on him. It was a strange feeling, to not be bothered by touch. Normally he wasn't a fan of being touched at all, but with Mieko it was different. "Try and rest. I'll be reading."
"Alright… Don't forget to take a break." She said, slowly drifting off as Albedo pet her head.
Mieko awoke the next morning, wondering where she was. It was warm. She paused, realizing that she was laying next to Albedo, the blonde smiling down at her. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
"I-I'm so sorry, I fell asleep Albedo."
"It's alright. You must have needed it." he ran his fingers through her hair. "Would you like some tea? Or perhaps coffee?"
"I-I don't want to trouble you. Plus. It's still cold." She mumbled, Albedo smiling still.
"Well then, when you're ready to get up. I'll make you something."
"Yuma?" Mieko stared at the man before her. "What are you doing here?" She walked over to him, Albedo looking up from his lunch. His eyes widened, this man looking strangely familiar.
"Hey, Mi. Sorry for dropping by out of nowhere." He smiled. "I came to introduce you to someone."
"Huh?" She looked past him, seeing Yuma's wife standing there. But before she could greet her, she noticed the young girl at her side. She was maybe 8 years old, but even seeing her made Mieko's breath catch in her throat.
"Koyuki. Can you say hello?" the girl's mother asked, smiling. The girl looked up, a light blue ribbon in her hair. Everything about her was exactly like Yuki. Mieko's hand went right to the red ribbon at the end of her braid to calm herself down.
"Hi Miss Mie. I'm Koyuki." she smiled. Mieko knelt slowly in front of the girl and smiled back.
"Hello, Koyuki."
"Our little girl wants to apprentice under you." Yuma said, grinning.
"I don't think I'm the-"
"Please, Miss Mie?" Koyuki took her hand, staring right at her, smiling wide. "I really like your jewelry, and you're my aunt's best friend right?" She smiled. Mieko's movements were stiff, but she nodded. "I really wanna learn from you! I promise, I'll help with cleaning and stuff too!" Mieko sighed, glancing up at Yuma and his wife.
"A little warning next time, Yuma. Fiineh."
"Sorry, sorry. Please forgive me." Yuma said, clapping his hands together. "Fii put on her earrings from you and Koyuki bombarded us with questions."
"It doesn't have to be all that often."
"Its's fine. If she wants to learn I'll teach her." Mieko got up and pat Koyuki on the head. "But we'll start tomorrow. Okay? I can't teach someone with no prep time."
"Yes Miss Mie!" Koyuki bowed to her, the mannerisms and all exactly like Mieko remembered.
"But for now. Please. Stay and have some tea and snacks." She added, motioning to the couch. Albedo got up from his chair and went to put a hand on her hip, kissing her cheek. "A-Albedo?"
"My apologies for the late introduction."
"Ooh, you're the Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonious." Yuma bowed his head to Albedo before shaking his hand. "I'm Yuma. Nice to meet you."
"Ooh, you must be Mieko's boyfriend~ You two are so cute. I'm Fiineh, Yuma's wife."
"A pleasure to meet you both." Albedo steered the conversation to give Mieko a breather, letting her pour the tea before having her sit. He even managed to occupy Koyuki with a quick drawing.
"Mister Albedo, you're amazing! No wonder you ended up with Miss Mie!" Koyuki cheered.
"Oh? I suppose that is a good thing. Isn't it, Mie?" Albedo asked, jolting her from her thoughts. "Tired, darling? You hardly slept last night."
"I… Yes, sorry." She hung her head a little.
"Still having trouble sleeping?" Yuma asked her.
"Yes. But less because of that, and more my brain is focused on work too heavily." They continued their conversation, Mieko promising to come and get her new apprentice herself in the morning. She let out a sigh once the door was closed for a moment, and the family had walked away.
"Are you alright?" Albedo asked her, noting how exhausted she seemed just from that one interaction.
"I'm fine. Thank you for covering for me." She said softly. "I can only imagine what might have happened if you hadn't stepped in when you did." Albedo lead her to sit back down, allowing her to lean on his shoulder.
"I should have stepped in sooner. I thought I recognized your friend from somewhere. When I saw the child, it became obvious." He said, pressing his lips against her temple. "She really resembles that painting of Yuki. Judging by your reaction, her mannerisms and everything else are just like her as well?"
"Yes… Everything, down to the way she talks." She replied, her whole being becoming less tense as Albedo began to play with her hair, brushing out her braid after she took the ribbon off. "Sorry to bother you."
"It isn't a bother." He smiled. "Your friend doesn't seem to realize what a toll seeing his daughter took on you."
"No, Yuma has always been a little clueless. Finneh, too." She said. "Plus, it isn't his fault I can't let go…"
"Most wouldn't blame you for that." Albedo reminded her. "I'll make dinner tonight."
"Nn, no. I'll do it. It'll help me think a little less." She smiled at him. "May I kiss you?" Albedo nodded, holding her hand as she leaned in and kissed him, the blonde sighing in content as she pulled back afterwards. "Thank you, Albedo."
"You don't have to ask every time." He smiled. "I told you, you're welcome to do what you like. It's a part of the experiment."
"Ah, yes." She smiled, feeling him tightening his grip on her. "Than, if you would be so kind As to indulge me for the evening. You have a few days of work ahead, don't you?"
"Yes. I do. So, take what you need from me tonight. I'll be back in a couple of days."
((Mieko's good at hiding her trauma from most people. When others think it's been enough time to move on, that isn't the case for everybody.
-Winter Cheshire))