Mieko let out a strangled gasp as she woke up, tears flowing down her cheeks as she laid there, trying to catch her breath. "Mie?" She heard the click of the lamp, seeing a blurry outline of Albedo through her tears. "Mie, what happened? Did you have another nightmare?" He asked, Mieko just laying there and trying to get her voice back. Albedo cupped her cheeks and the tears came flooding out, the woman sobbing and clinging to Albedo with shaking hands. "Mie…?" He pulled her to him, letting her cry against his shoulder. "Shhh, Mie, it's alright. You're safe now." he said gently, rubbing her back with one hand while the other tangled itself in her hair.
"I'm sorry." Were the only words she could choke out between sobs for a while, Albedo tightening his grip on her. "Albedo… Albedo, I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry for, my darling." He replied to her, letting her cry until she was too tired to even hold onto him anymore. "Shhh, back to sleep." he cooed to her as she tried to apologize again. When she fell back asleep, Albedo took a deep breath to calm himself. Her nightmares had begun escalating, and Mieko was well and truly falling apart piece by piece. He had to do something about this.
"Mie, what happened?" Traveler asked, seeing bruises on Mieko's forearm. The woman looked up at the traveler from her chair.
"Hm? Oh, don't mind the bruises. You missed the fun, Traveler~ Some hooligan decided it would be fun to harass one of the young girls in front of my shop, while I was fixing a client's bracelet."
"What?!" Paimon exclaimed.
"Are you okay?" Traveler asked.
"Oh, don't worry. I'm fine. I've gotten much worse. Being a little reckless is necessary sometimes, to protect people. I'm sure you know that well, don't you? All I did was step in front of her to protect her, and he tried to intimidate me by gripping my arm hard enough to leave a bruise. Haha. It didn't feel like anything, honestly."
"No wonder Albedo was so upset…" Traveler sighed, having seen the blondes' expression they heard the news about Mieko having been injured. But, where had Albedo gone? "How did you get out of that situation?"
"That was Kaeya." Natalie piped up. "He beat me to it."
"Oh, Kaeya did?"
"He did." Mieko nodded. "He was patrolling and he got the man off of me. Apparently he was a former apprentice Knight that got kicked out in training."
"Oh?"
"He was drinking, clearly. Drowning his sorrows. A little bruise is nothing." Mieko shook her head. "And the young lady is safe. A bit shaken, though."
"And where's Albedo? We thought for sure he'd have gone to you first!" Paimon exclaimed.
"I haven't seen him." Mieko shook her head. "I was going to go and see him, but it got busy, so I kept working." She replied.
"What?! You should have closed the store!" Paimon exclaimed. "You kept working?"
"I did." She chuckled. "Well, since I'm being scolded, shall we go and find Albedo?" She asked.
"Yes, we should!" Paimon huffed. They set out to search for Albedo, finding him at the Knight's Headquarters taking to Jean.
"Of course, Albedo." Jean said, looking a bit worried. "Is Mieko alright?"
"I'm here, Jean." Mieko said, Jean turning to her friend and seeing the bruise on her arm.
"Your arm…"
"It really is nothing, please don't worry." She said, catching a dangerous look in Albedo's eyes as he walked over to her, gently inspecting her injured arm. "It's becoming a bit tender, but I promise it's nothing serious. Just a bruise." She insisted to Albedo specifically. "Shall we go inside and talk?" She asked.
"Yes, of course. Please, come with me." Jean took her into the Headquarters with the others while Albedo continued to check her over.
"Albedo, I'm fine."
"You're hurt, Mie." He replied simply. He knew she just couldn't stand back and watch someone hurt a young lady, but it still bothered him. Jean listened to Mieko explain what happened from her end, the blonde woman looking to the floor.
"I'm so sorry, on behalf of the Knights of Favonious." Jean knelt to Mieko, surprising the whole room. "Please accept my humblest apologies."
"Jean, please, you don't have to. You'll dirty your suit." Mieko offered her hand to her friend, helping her up. "You and I have been friends long enough, and I know this isn't your fault. This is not a reflection on the company he is from, or the training he received." She stated. "I cannot imagine how unhappy his former captain would be, if they found out what a disgraceful member they had amongst their ranks."
"Even so, Mieko."
"Jean, it's fine." She insisted. Jean glanced to Albedo, then sighed.
"Very well." She replied. "You should go home and rest."
"I will soon. For now, I need to decompress away from the shop." She smiled. "Can I borrow the training grounds?"
"Oh…? Of course." Jean nodded hesitantly. "Any particular opponent?"
"No, I won't be fighting. Traveler, Paimon, Natalie. Please go home. I'm really okay." She smiled at them, heading outside to the training grounds with Albedo on her heels.
2 hours later Albedo was still sitting with Mie outside on the crates next to the training grounds. She hadn't moved from her spot since sitting down. He was fine with that, sketching her and avoiding the bruise on her arm. "Are you calm now, Albedo?" She asked him, the blonde looking up at her as she turned to him.
"What do you mean?"
"You had a scary look in your eyes when I found you. Have you calmed down now?"
"I… Yes, I believe I have." He nodded. "How did you know?"
"You don't usually show much emotion, so seeing you angry is a bit scary for me." She smiled. "I didn't want you to be upset over something small like that."
"It's hardly small… You still got hurt."
"It's nothing serious, you know. The bruise will fade in a few days." She pet his head. "For now, shall we go and get something to eat?" She asked. "And how was your day, before all this?" The two exited the area and headed to get something to eat before Albedo steered her towards his home for the evening. "Oh? Your home again?"
"I want to monitor you so you can sleep." He stated, leading her inside. "I need you to rest tonight."
"Oh? Okay." She smiled at him. "Can we…?" She wrapped her arms around his waist, nuzzling into his shoulder. "I… I think I would sleep better if maybe we did something more intimate."
"Mm, but your arm." He said softly, enjoying her hands on him.
"It doesn't hurt that much… I think I rather desperately need reassurance, after all that…"
"Very well." He held her hand. "Then… If we're doing that, please don't hesitate to tell me if it hurts. I'll make adjustments accordingly."
"Gladly."
Mieko sighed, staring at her financial book. "Not enough." She mumbled, shaking her head. She had to dip into her savings again, to make rent payment. Not to mention her Windblume sales were very low. Better than the average month, but still not what she had been hoping for. She sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "No point in opening now…" She said, getting up and grabbing her coat. She scolded herself as she went up the path to Dragonspine. "Once again, relying on Albedo." She told herself. "I need to apologize to him for always going to see him… I wonder if I should ask him to make me another potion so I can sleep…" she grumbled to herself the whole way, scolding herself. She arrived at his camp, glancing around to make sure she wasn't being watched.
"Mie?" She looked up to see Albedo walking towards her. "What's wrong? You look upset."
"I do…?" she shook her head. "No, it's nothing."
"You'll have to forgive me for not believing you." he replied, walking over to her, pulling open his collar a bit to show her his mark before taking her hand and walking her into camp. "Sit. I'm already brewing your potion at double the strength, so you just need to help me catalyze it." he said, kissing her forehead. "I have a few experiments to finish, but please relax. You're welcome to nap, if you feel you can sleep." he added.
"I… Thank you." She replied, letting Albedo rub her cheek for a moment before going back to his work. She sat on his cot and watched him, leaning a little but not able to fall asleep. "Albedo…?"
"Yes, darling?"
"I'm sorry for bothering you all the time…" she said, Albedo pausing in his note taking before sighing.
"Mieko. You aren't bothering me." he stated. "Have you been feeling worried about that this whole time?"
"Yes." She smiled sadly. Albedo put his work down once he was done, moving to stand in front of her.
"Mie… My darling Mie. Why do you feel like you need to apologize?" he asked, cupping her cheeks and making her look up at him. "I don't mind you coming to see me… I don't find it to be problematic, either. You, darling, are one of few people who would not only come looking for me, but would keep me company and stay with me… Mie." he sounded mildly frustrated, but he looked concerned. "Why are you saying you're sorry?"
"I… I don't know." She said, her voice cracking a little as tears began to prick her eyes. Albedo moved to kneel over her lap and sat there, wrapping his arms around her so she could cling to him. "I don't know… Albedo… What is going on with me?"
"I don't know, Mie…" he held her tight, his grip tightening as she sobbed. "I can promise you that if nothing else, I will at least do everything I can to help you feel like you never need to apologize for coming to spend time with me." he added, kissing her cheek. "Go ahead and cry, Mieko… I'll stay right here with you until you're done." he said softly, holding her. She was shaking, and though he was frustrated, Albedo didn't want to let her go. She was falling apart, and Albedo had no idea how to help her. His research hadn't brought up anything significant, and dreams weren't in his wheelhouse. He just wanted to help her, but nothing seemed to be enough. "I'll keep trying." he muttered, clinging to her as exhaustion caught up with him.
Albedo jumped awake to see Mieko staring at him. "Mie… I'm sorry, I fell asleep… How are you feeling? Did you catalyze the potion?"
"I did… I didn't drink it yet." She nuzzled him, Albedo relieved to see that she had calmed down. "I'm sorry for causing you so much frustration, Albedo… I… I don't know what's wrong with me…"
"It's alright. I'm glad you're feeling better." He smiled, hugging her tight. "You should drink your potion so you can sleep. I have to do more work." He added, kissing her forehead.
"Okay…" She sighed happily as he kissed her more soundly on the lips. "I love you, Albedo… Thank you, for putting up with me." She added, sitting up to drink her potion before laying back down, Albedo watching her and tucking her in quietly.
"I love you, Mie… Whatever is wrong, I hope I can help… Even if just a little."
Albedo walked with Mieko to the Knight's Headquarters. "Your sister?" Mieko seemed fascinated that Albedo had a sibling, even if not by blood.
"Has Jean never mentioned her before? The Spark Knight?" Albedo smiled. "She's quite something."
"Oh, you mean Klee?" Mieko smiled. "I have heard Jean be extremely troubled by things before about her." she pondered. "I always thought it was because Jean isn't the best with kids who are rambunctious."
"Oh? What do you mean?"
"Well, Barbara was a quiet, well behaved child. So Jean had it easy with her." She smiled. "I've been wanting to meet Klee, but I never had the chance to ask."
"Oh? Well, I hope you're prepared. Klee is… A bit destructive."
"Destructive?"
"You'll see." He smiled, nervous but knowing she'd have to meet Klee sooner or later. But upon their arrival, Klee wasn't in her room. Albedo sighed, trying to figure out where she had gone when Mieko found a note on the back of the door.
"Oh…? Out with Mister Kaeya?"
"Oh no." Albedo sighed. "Kaeya took her out…"
"It can't be that bad, can it?" Mieko asked. "Kaeya wouldn't let her get hurt."
"That's not what I'm worried about." Albedo said. "He's a bad influence on her."
"Oh? I see." She nodded. "I'll scold him for you when we find him then." She stated, turning to leave the room and go searching for Kaeya and Klee. They left the city and headed up the path, soon hearing an explosion. Albedo rushed ahead and Mieko followed him, soon coming across the little girl in red with Kaeya standing on the side lines and watching her blow up a group of hilichurls.
"Klee…" Albedo sounded exasperated, the girl turning to him and looking down at the ground, her hands going behind her back.
"Am I in trouble?" She asked.
"Not you, little one." Mieko said, walking past her and over to Kaeya, stopping in front of him.
"Well well, if it isn't Miss Mie." He laughed. "Gonna scold me?" He asked, Mieko crossing her arms and leaning back on her right leg a bit. "Oh? You're really mad then." He laughed, bowing to her.
"You're causing trouble." She stated simply, Kaeya laughing. "Always the attention seeker, Kaeya. Come on, apologize to Albedo." She stated.
"Or what? You'll step on me with your tall boots?"
"Or I'll yank your ear clean off, is what." She stated, Kaeya laughing more.
"Only because you asked, Mie." He shrugged. Albedo felt a strange sensation rising in him, listening to their interaction. Since when were they so friendly? Kaeya walked over and apologized, Klee following suit. "So, what brings you two out here, hmm?"
"I brought Mie here to introduce her to Klee. We had gone to Headquarters, but since you took her outside, we had to seek you out." Albedo deadpanned.
"Oh? Now why do you need to introduce Mie to Klee?" Kaeya asked. "Oh, is it because you're in a relationship now?"
"Kaeya." Mieko warned, sighing. "Don't act like that. I wanted to meet Klee." She stated. "Stop harassing Albedo."
"Yes, yes." He raised his hands in mock surrender. "My apologies, Mie." He grinned as she knelt next to Klee and pet her head.
"Sorry to interrupt your fun, little friend." She smiled. "My name is Mieko, its a pleasure to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you, Miss Mieko." Klee smiled, Albedo glad that she wasn't scared of her like she was with Jean.
"You don't have to call me Miss." Mieko smiled. "You can just call me Mie."
"But… You and Mister Albedo are close, so I shouldn't do that…" Klee said.
"Hehe. Well then, if you're gonna call me Miss, how about you just call me Miss Mie?"
"Oh, okay~" Klee did a little jump, grinning. "Did you really come out to meet me, Miss Mie?"
"I did." As they talked, Albedo watched them, his gaze softening as Mieko interacted with Klee.
"Mie has always been real good with kids." Kaeya said, chuckling as he walked past the blonde. "You got real lucky with her. Don't break her heart."
"I don't intend to." Albedo retorted. Kaeya always managed to put him on edge, but now, knowing that he and Mieko were close enough to banter like that? It drove him mad, and he didn't understand why.
"Miss Mie? Do you like flowers?"
"I do, Klee." She smiled. "Do you like them?"
"I do~" She giggled. "Oh, can I take you fish blasting, Miss Mie?" Albedo was about to intervene when Mieko chuckled.
"I'm sorry Klee, I don't actually like fish blasting. But you know what? I'll take you to do something better."
"Better than fish blasting?" Klee was fascinated, her eyes wide.
"Well, I think it is." Mieko smiled. "Come, let's go this way." She walked with Klee, the little one excitedly rushing around and giggling. Albedo followed, amazed that every time Klee brought up something destructive, Mieko mitigated it without batting an eye. "Here we are." She said, Klee turning around to see a field of flowers. "Now." Mieko knelt next to Klee. "Have you ever made flower crowns, Klee?"
"Flower crowns? Yes! Is that what we're making?" Klee looked up at Mieko.
"It is." She nodded. "But these flowers are special." She smiled. "For they've been blessed by fairies."
"Fairies?" Klee asked.
"Yes. By fairies." Mieko smiled. Albedo wanted to ask, but as Mieko explained, he realized she was talking about Yuki. "One fairy went somewhere far away, you see? But her blessing remains." She motioned to a nearby tree. "And that tree is where I always offer a flower crown to her, so she knows I'm taking care of her flowers."
"Oh! Klee wants to offer one too!" Klee exclaimed, giggling. "Mister Albedo, let's make one for her!"
"Alright, Klee." he smiled, sitting with them and making a flower crown with them, Mieko making more than one in the time it took him to finish his first. But she also made a very small one, catching Albedo's attention. When they were done, Albedo helped Klee up to place her flower crown in the high branches. Mieko placed hers as well, then turned to Klee and Albedo.
"Now, for those that presented the fairy with a gift." She placed a flower crown on Albedo's head, then took Klee's hat off and placed one on her head too. "And let's not forget Dodoco."
"Dodoco gets one too?" Klee was ecstatic about this, allowing Mieko to place the little flower crown on Dodoco's head. "Thank you so much, Miss Mie!" Klee exclaimed, hugging onto her leg.
"You're welcome, Klee." She smiled. "Now, let me show you the blessing." She helped Klee move back and had her stand with Albedo, smiling. "Close your eyes Klee, and no peeking." She said, the girl doing as instructed. Mieko whipped out her polearm and activated her elemental skill quietly, stepping back as the rainclouds formed. "Alright. Open your eyes." She said as the raindrops began to fall, Klee opening her eyes and seeing the flowers start to glow.
"Amazing!" She jumped around a little and clung to Albedo, pointing at the flowers and grinning. Albedo nodded and pet her head, glad that Klee was so happy. After a short while more, the three returned to Mondstat, Albedo holding one of Klee's hands while Mieko held the other. Albedo removed his flower crown and gave it to Klee before they entered the city. Jean was relieved that they were back and that nothing more had happened.
"Thank you for today, Big Sis Mie!" Klee called as Mieko turned to leave, making her freeze. Jean lead Klee inside, Albedo turning to Mieko. She had stopped in her tracks.
"Are you okay?"
"I… Sorry. It's been so long since someone's called me big sis…" she said, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "I'll be okay." She added, taking a moment to calm down. Albedo stood with her, waiting for her to look up.
"Do you want me to ask Klee not to call you that?"
"No, it's okay." She smiled at him. "I'll be alright. I promise, Albedo." He wasn't sure she was really okay, but he resolved not to pester her.
"Then, let's go home. You need some rest." He said, taking her hand before walking her back to his home. "I'll walk you back to the shop in the morning."
((A little more of Mieko's reckless side showing, as well as interactions with Kaeya and Klee? Yes! Also Mie showing signs that she still hasn't gotten over Yuki passing away? Also yes! [I'm sorry I'm awful to her, making her suffer like this.]
-Winter Cheshire))