Genshin Impact: Mondstadt Alter

Act 1 Chapter 3.6:

Suspicions

"I figure that's the reason you wanted to talk with me?"

"To be honest, not really. But I'm down for it if you want to." She admitted.

"I see. I'm sorry in advance because this kinda heavy topic when you're here to lay off."

"Hah, don't worry about it." She ensured before taking a sip.

People are still being rowdy downstairs. Meanwhile, some folks start leaving on this floor, and only a few remain. Without me having to look, my radar has already told me. I don't know if Mrs. Frederica notices, but I decide to keep it for myself.

I continue our chat once I take several chugs of my tea.

"Mrs. Frederica, what do you think of Adventurers' Guild?"

"Well, that's a somewhat unexpected topic for me." She said, "I have to say, they're great. I know some of their members and get along fine with them. The Knights and the Guild also sometimes cooperate on some events and when our objectives align."

Hmm, that wasn't really what I wanted to hear.

"That sounds like you guys have a decent partnership."

"You can say that, I guess. Why'd you ask?"

"I'm just curious about them. I take it you have a good impression about them, then?"

"Yeah? Are you curious about their entry test or something?"

I had to pause drinking my tea when I heard that question.

"Nah, you're wrong. All I wanted was your opinion about the Guild." I countered.

Mrs. Frederica smirks as she hums to my reply. We both take a break by drinking.

"Let's move on to the second one." I declared as I put away my mug.

"Did you find anything out of place when you watched over me, Mrs. Frederica?"

She scowled when I posed that question. I could tell from her expression she wasn't fond of that. However, I have to put it off my chest. I know full well that doing that is risky, but I doubt anything terrible would happen in a crowded place like this.

"Did something happen, Morgan?" She queried, narrowing her eyes.

"Ah, no, not really. My bad. I was just making sure if you perhaps saw anything suspicious." I said indifferently.

She sighs softly, "You got me. I was worried something had happened."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put you on guard."

"It's fine. It was me that misunderstood you." She brushed off, "But no, I didn't find anything. While you did your exercise, I scanned everywhere, starting from the city until we headed back, but it was fruitless."

I cross my arms.

That's line up with my suspicion. My radar has a wide range, so I know when someone or something follows me. There's someone who had been and was following me these past days and didn't act when Mrs. Frederica was around.

Which I assume was they were waiting for me to be alone. Apparently, I was only half correct because they still haven't done anything to me. For some reason, they merely watched and didn't do shit, even when I was alone.

How bothersome.

"In case you feel disturbance, please don't hesitate to tell me, Morgan."

"Mm, sure. Thank you, Mrs. Frederica. I think that's all I wanted to ask you. It unexpected to take this much time, though."

I look around to see only very few people left in the tavern. The crowd below us has died down for a while without us noticing. Both of our beverages were empty right when we finished.

"Oh, you're right. Time sure flies, huh?"

"I guess we were absorbed in our bubble. Well, I gotta go. Thank you for your time, ma'am." I thanked her as I got up.

"Leaving already?"

I nod, "I've spent more time than I planned here, so yeah. Are you still going to stay here?"

She moans as she stretches, "I think so. That means we'll get separated?" She gave me puppy eyes.

"Uh... Please don't say like I'll be gone forever."

She rises from the chair, "Hehe, I was just messing around. Alright then, get home safely, and see you tomorrow."

I nod again, "Please excuse me."

When I'm about to take the stairs, I look in her direction once again and see her wave her hand at me. I get down as soon as I think nothing else will happen. I returned to the Church immediately after paying for my drink at the counter.

To my relief, nothing happened.

…

Patrons in Angel's Share start going home when it's almost closing time, leaving only a handful of people remaining. Frederica, who had been drinking for a while, decided to return as she didn't want to wake up with a headache the next day.

Charles, who was busy cleaning the mugs, saw Frederica walking towards him and spoke up,

"Good evening, Mrs. Frederica. It's been a while. How have you been?"

"Evening, Bartender. As you can see, I am doing fine." She replied before looking both sideways, "Where's the owner?"

"Master Crepus isn't available for tonight. Do you need something? I can send your message if you want."

She shook her head, "Here, I'll be leaving soon as I feel a little tired."

Frederica put her money on the counter, and Charles took them to count.

"That's enough, thank you." Charles nodded, "By the way, I didn't see you with anyone tonight. Did you decide to spend your time on the second floor alone?"

"Huh? Ah, no. I was with Morgan, but he headed home soon after I arrived. We did have some chat, though."

Charles tilted his head, "Who?"

"You know, Seth's son. I heard he visited here a couple of times already." She reminded.

Hearing that, Charles blinked a few times.

"Oh, him." He whispered.

"I actually haven't met him yet. Kaeya took care of the second floor while I am responsible here. That's maybe why I didn't see him tonight."

"You didn't? I thought he paid for his order?"

Charles folded his arms as he tried to recall if he spotted anyone young. Even though he never sees him, he imagines someone resemblances his old patron. Then he remembered that he talked to a black-haired teen.

"Ah!" He hit his palm, "I remember now. Yeah, he did. He came for a few seconds only to pay and then went when I was busy taking orders, so I forgot about that."

Frederica only sighed as she shook her head in disappointment.

"Maybe I should greet him personally next time." He noted for himself.

While those two are talking, the back door opens and reveals a navy-blue-haired boy coming in. The two quickly notice him, and so does he.

"Oh, hello again, ma'am." Kaeya nodded at her, and she replied with a wave, "Charles, I think we need to resupply our stock and throw away some spoilt ones."

"Understood. I'll do that once the bar is closed."

"Sounds like you would still be busy after this. Being a bartender is hard, huh?"

Charles laughs, "Haha, certainly it's not as hard as your job as a Knight, Mrs. Frederica."

The eye-patched boy looks around when the adults are having a chat.

"Weren't you with Morgan, Mrs. Frederica?"

"Hmm? If you're looking for him, then he's already gone home."

"Ah, is that so?"

Both Frederica and Charles stared at him, realizing his subtle disappointment. Kaeya, on the other hand, quickly returned to his usual demeanor.

"Can't be helped, I guess. I'll go clean up the tables." He said, turning his back.

"Take a break, kid. I'm sure you've been working for a while."

Kaeya shakes his head, "We'll be closing soon. It's fitting to tidy up as much if I want to go home early, right?"

The two exchange glances.

"I agree with her. It's already very late for you to help, and I didn't want you to overwork yourself. Master Crepus would get mad at me if you get sick the next day."

"... Very well, I'll rest for a while. Please tell me when you're going to close the bar."

Kaeya stepped away from them, but Frederica said something once again to him.

"I can't promise, but I'll try to persuade Morgan to come here tomorrow night."

The boy turned around, surprised by what he heard. However, he didn't respond immediately.

"Haha, it's alright. I'm sure Morgan's busy with his own affairs, but alright." He said, slightly curving his lips. "Please excuse me."

This time, the blonde knight and the bartender let him go so the kid can have some rest. Once he was gone, Frederica stood from the chair and was ready to leave, but Charles spoke to her the last time for the night.

"Are you sure about that? I'm not sure how close they are to each other, but I don't think it was necessary to do that."

"Hmm, it's okay. There's nothing wrong with letting them get along well, don't you agree?"

"Well, true that. Do tell me if you manage to convince him. Maybe I'll notify young master Diluc about it as well if young master Kaeya didn't." He nodded.

"Good idea, the merrier, the better. Let's hope they can get along just fine." Frederica wished, "I'll be off, then. Good night, Charles."

"Good night to you too, ma'am."

Frederica steps to the door and pushes the door,

"Darn, I forgot to ask about Morgan's motive with his training." She muttered as she opened the door.

A/N: Feel free to decide between idiocy or naivety, Morgan despite knowing someone was stalking him, kept quiet about it. If I were him, I would call the cops.

Thank you for reading, and carry on!

A little too early, but I want to say Happy New Year to everyone!