Genshin Impact: Mondstadt Alter

Act 1 Chapter 5.2:

No Deal

The three of us worked on cleaning until noon. After completing the floor mopping, I provided them with drinks and snacks from the house. Initially, I intended to offer lunch, but I realized I needed more ingredients, making it impossible to prepare a meal. When I suggested dining elsewhere, Captain Hao and Barbara politely declined. We got to chat a little, but unfortunately, Captain Hao and Barbara had to return as they had matters to attend to.

"Thank you for helping me, Captain Hao, and you too, Barbara. We managed to finish it faster than I expected." I lowered my head slightly to them.

"Please don't mention it, Morgan. And we also want to say the same for serving us some snacks and drinks. They were tasty!"

"Yeah, Barbara's right." He agreed with her statement, "You might've heard this many times already by now, Morgan, but don't do anything reckless, okay? I know we have patrol around the city and more, but we also need your cooperation to maintain your safety."

I bobbed my head, "I understand, sir. I'll try my best to steer clear of any trouble in the future."

"Don't forget to tell me or anyone from the Church if you have any trouble too! We'll do our best to accommodate your need." Barbara added.

"Sure thing. I can't thank everybody enough for treating me this well."

The man and the girl smile warmly, responding to my gratitude.

"Alright. We'll be leaving then." Captain Hao patted my shoulder, "Take care, son." He said before leaving.

"See you, Morgan!" Barbara waved her hand as she followed him soon after.

I wave back and stop when their figures go into the distance. After that, I go back inside and lock the front door.

I have a busy agenda today, and I've only completed one task so far. I also need to restock my kitchen supplies, rearrange some furniture, do laundry, and do a few other chores. Additionally, I have yet to have a chance to visit the cemetery again, but before doing so, I'd like to pick up some flowers.

"Phew, one thing at a time. I guess spending another couple of hours to do some chores wouldn't hurt."

Once I completed all my tasks and showered, I dressed up and prepared to depart. Carrying my savings, I intended to buy flowers and ingredients. Initially, I went to the flower shop before shopping, ensuring I could conveniently return afterward.

"Good evening! Welcome, dear customer. Would you like to purchase some flowers?" The flower vendor greeted me with a smile.

No, I'd like to buy some drugs.

For some reason, I'm often in the mood for jokes lately.

"Uh, yes."

"Lovely! We have a fine selection of flowers in the store. Mind telling me what you're looking for?"

"Hmm, I'd like to have a couple of Cecilia bouquets. Just small ones."

"Small bouquets of Cecilia, is it? No problem! How many stems would you like to have in them?" He asked.

"How much would it cost for five?"

"You mean, five for each bouquet?" I nodded, "Then it would be 7500."

That sounds a little more expensive than I initially thought, but whatever.

"Alright. That will be all."

"I understand! One moment, please." He excused himself to pack my order and return shortly with a couple of small bouquets of Cecilia in his hands, so I took them after paying.

Arriving at the cemetery, I see only a handful of people are there already. I don't pay much attention to them like they do as I walk to my parents' tombs. Sitting ahead and between them, I put the flowers beside me as I want to say a word or two first.

"..."

Several minutes elapsed, but despite my earnest attempts, I found myself unable to speak. Instead, I experienced a tightening sensation in my chest. Gradually, my body seemed to become paralyzed, my eyes fixated on their graves, and I began to hyperventilate slightly.

I'm not unfamiliar with these symptoms and feelings, so the moment I feel something is wrong with my condition, I take a deep breath until I calm down. My hands are shivering.

It hasn't been a week since I got healed, and the symptoms are back already.

I click my tongue before shaking my head to focus on the tasks at hand. Steeling myself, I start to voice out,

"I'm back. And as I promised, I bring some flowers with me." I whispered as I tried to crack a smile, but I couldn't and decided to dismiss it, "I suppose I won't stay for long since I have another thing to do, so this will be a short visit. I'll try to make everything as brief as I can."

Therefore, I recounted all the events of the past few weeks, despite initially suggesting it would be a brief update. I shared every detail as if I were confessing, even though I've never experienced a confession before. Unaware, I found myself immersed in the fading light of dusk.

"Well, would you look at time? It's noon already. Apologies, I was deeply engrossed in sharing with you the experiences I have encountered. I hope you don't mind my rambling." I halted, "Anyway, I should go now. I better hurry before the stores close, or I will spend more money to buy myself dinner instead." I added before standing up as my foot accidentally nudged on something.

I kneel to pick them up.

"Oh, of course, I totally did not forget about the bouquets I brought." I said as I placed one on both graves.

"Be seeing you again next time, dad, mom."

Scanning the whole graveyard, it seems people here have already gone home. I hesitated to turn my back, but I did. As soon as I take the exit, I try to haste my movement to reach the Market District before they close. Perhaps I was too immersed in talking, I didn't notice someone was near the graveyard beside the guards.

"Didn't expect to see you so soon again. You have done paying respect to, whoever those graves are?"

"... They were my parents." I replied bitterly.

She seemed surprised, knowing the fact, "Ah, my bad. I didn't mean any disrespect or anything."

"It's fine. You didn't know, especially since it happened a while ago, and you just got here recently." I said half-jokingly before asking, "What are you doing here?"

She was about to open her mouth to voice out something, but, in the end, she seemed to be against it. I'm unsure why, but if she didn't want me to know, I guess I can pretend I didn't ask.

"What do you think?" Surprisingly, she questioned me back instead of answering.

I raise my eyebrow, "... I have no clue. How am I supposed to know?"

"You're no fun." She pointed out.

I exhale heavily to that.

"What's wrong? You seemed more depressed than ever." I would consider she was concerned for me if her tone wasn't very flat. Her tone made it seem she was trying to taunt me.

"And you sound more caring than before, Rosaria."

She scoffs, "Just messing with you. No need to be so vigilant like that."

I wonder how she could say that when she knows someone wants me dead, or perhaps she just doesn't care. Is that how she perceived my life from her perspective? Interesting.

"I remember."

"Hmm? Remember you got somewhere to be, huh?"

"That too, but isn't there usually supposed to be a lecture or study about this hour at the Church?"

She keeps silent and lets me continue.

"I'm not sure what Grand Master Varka and the Seneschal have for you to rehabilitate in Mond, but don't you think you should participate?"

"Now, you are no different than those sisters." She groaned.

I was caught off guard by that statement.

"Well, I'm not trying to force you or anything. I'm not in the place to do that." I scratched the back of my head.

"I'm honestly surprised you have that level of self-awareness."

"I take that as a compliment. Although, you might want to heed their words for your own sake. They're not a bad person, at least."

"Tell me something I don't know." She commented, looking away from me.

"Sorry. I thought since you're not too accustomed to this city yet, I could introduce you to something or somewhere, even just a little. That is, if you don't mind, of course."

The wine-haired girl gives me a dubious look, "That's unexpected. Why would you suddenly show your compassion now? Are you expecting something?"

"Easy. You knew I was under a tight watch, and I barely could go anywhere back then. Not to mention, I can't go outside the city without being noticed by somebody now. So I figure I might do something in the city in the meantime until everything calms down." I addressed the trouble I had in the past few days.

"And you're planning to spend your time to show me around?"

"If that is what you want, I see no problem." I nodded, "Ah, but maybe not today, though. It's a little too late to wander around the city."

She gazes at me for a while before curving her lips and closing her eyes, "I appreciate the thought, but I'm good. After all, you seem to already have a lot on your plate."

I expected her answer, but I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.

Now that I said all that to Rosaria, I can guess the reason why she refused. She and I are not so different in my eyes. However, I'm afraid I was reading too much about her as if I knew her, especially since I wouldn't call our relationship a friendship.

"Maybe I do, huh?" I whispered.

"To be frank, I was more asking for a give-and-take favor with you." I decided not to hit the bush anymore.

"What do you mean?" She said in a curious tone.

"You can say no if you're not interested." I alerted her before saying more, but she insinuated to me to go on, "You do remember that somebody wants my head and has sent a hitman to try to kill, right?"

"No."

"Hey."

"... What about it?" She sighed.

"I don't think they will give up that easily, and they might have some spies in the city."

Rosaria suddenly gives me a bored look and exhales heavily.

"What is it? You got something to say? I'm not pressuring you to agree with me."

"Aren't you being a little paranoid here?" She bugged.

As always, I'm not sure how to answer that.

As I kept saying, people couldn't and wouldn't ever be able to relate to how I feel and see things around me. Due to having Sonar, I can sense something easily that everyone can't. While I can probably understand her logic and the environment she grew up in was different, I doubt she has it better.

"I prefer it to be called being cautious. I mean, the chance isn't zero for them to come back for me, don't you think?"

I'd rather be logical here than anything.

"Well…" Rosaria seemed to find no flaws behind my words, so she decided to ask again, "What do you want then? For me to keep an eye for them?"

"Basically. What'd you say?"

She crosses her arms, "Let's get this straight. So, you want me to confirm your suspicion of spies in this city based on your guts with no concrete proof whatsoever and put me in danger while all I got is a tour?" Rosaria confirmed.

"You don't have to go that far, Rosaria. I don't want you to get harmed because of me, especially. Besides, you can ask me something else if my offer doesn't satisfy you, as long as that's something I can do." I corrected.

"That's kinda wishful thinking, no? Going by your logic, anyone could be in danger just by interacting with you."

"Yeah, since I have no idea how far they would go after me, I distance myself as much as possible with people. The least I want is for someone to get hurt."

"How about me? Don't you care about me?" She wondered, asking about my morals, apparently.

"That's why I want you to be careful at the same time. No need to stress yourself about the task."

She's in deep thought, so I give her a moment to consider.

"This is stupid." She responded as she wagged her head, "Sorry, but I can't accept it."

"I see. That's unfortunate for me, I guess." I lowered my head, "I'll leave you alone, then. Make sure that no sisters or even the Seneschal find you here."

I was about to leave, but she stopped me by posing another question.

"Morgan. Can I ask you one last thing?"

"...?"

"That night, HOW did you know I stole your pouch in your room? I was sure that there was no one there." She demanded.

I want to answer her question honestly, but I have no idea how to reply without her raising more questions. And she seems to want her answer badly, even though I could just brush it off if I want to.

"I told you already, didn't I? I have a good intuition."

Obviously, she doesn't seem to buy my words.

"Then, was your suspicion supported by your intuition of yours, or simply you being cautious?"

"Rosaria, you…" I didn't expect her question to lead to this.

"Forget it. Pretend I didn't ask. You may go now." She said before turning her back and leaning against the railing.

Part of me wants to continue the conversation, but the other part of me is telling me it would be pointless. So reluctantly, I'm leaving her and heading back home.

"See you around, then."

A/N: I managed to finish this chapter, but still have my hands full with IRL stuff (T_T) I wish I could run away from my responsibilities and just do whatever I want.

Thank you for reading, and carry on!