It was cold out tonight. Eula sat by the fire, trying to get warm. From her position on the hills, she could see Mondstadt's gleaming lights in the distance. They were welcoming to most.
She tossed another log into the fire, watching the sparks fly up. Then, she took a bite from the hog she caught and cooked. Juicy meat brought her back to those childhood days roughing it in the wild because nobody would serve her food. Some things never changed.
A branch snapped. Eula reached for her sword. Mirror Maiden stepped into the light. Her grip relaxed somewhat.
Mirror Maiden sat down on the log beside Eula. Neither one spoke. Cicadas roared, flames crackled, and a breeze sifted their hair.
Mirror Maiden broke the silence. "I'm sorry about your apartment."
Eula snorted, as she bit a chunk from the meat and chewed. Her companion sighed.
"Jean will find the people who trashed it."
Eula spat into the fire.
"Won't you say something?"
"There's no point," said Eula.
"No point to what?"
"Dunno. Anything, I guess."
She poked the campfire, prodding the flames higher. The cinders caught a breeze and drifted into the starry night. Eula exhaled, her breath forming vapors.
She offered Mirror Maiden a leg of meat. The Fatui took it and began eating. Eula hugged her knees to her chest.
"You could stay at the Teapot," Mirror Maiden suggested.
"Sure," Eula replied unenthusiastically.
"Sorry. Did you want to be alone?"
Alone? She let out a bitter laugh. It didn't matter what she wanted. She'd always be alone. Oh, she had Aether, Amber, and all her friends, but they'd never understand. Everyone loved them. They all belonged.
Mirror Maiden lowered her gaze to the fire.
"Eula, it was just an idiot doing something stupid. Don't let it bother you."
"I'm not bothered."
"It sounds like you are."
"Well, I'm not! I can deal with idiots. I've always…"
Her voice wavered.
Eula turned away from Mirror Maiden and from Mondstadt. Her eyes trailed the mountainside, lingering on the cove where waves lapped the rocks. Seven years ago, she'd come here and those distant rocks still seemed almost welcoming.
"Eula? This is about more than your apartment, isn't it?"
Eula snorted, "Oh, do you think so?"
"Is this a knight thing?"
"No. It's a leave me alone thing."
"Why? You've never been this down before. What's bothering you so much?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's the fact that I've spent most of my life paying for something I never did. Maybe, it's because no matter what I do or how I prove myself, I can't change their hearts. Maybe it's because, to them, I'll never be more than a Lawrence. Or, hey, maybe it's because I realized redemption isn't real. Maybe it's because I finally realized just how miserable this whole rotten world is. Nothing changes. People are just… evil."
Eula deflated. She'd come closer to crying than she ever had in a long time. Her heart sank. Now that she'd said it all, she knew how true it all was. No matter how much she did for that nation—how much she had done—nothing ever changed. She could give her life for those people and they'd still hate her.
"I'm sorry," said Mirror Maiden. "But you know, Eula, one person's bad decision doesn't mean everyone is evil. Jean and all the knights are working hard to bring in the culprits. Plenty of people are joining in the search because they care about you."
"I know."
"And you're wrong. Redemption is real. At least, to me it is. I didn't believe in it, until I met you."
Mirror Maiden rested her hand on Eula's shoulder. She turned around and saw tears welling in Rosalyn's eyes. Mirror Maiden wiped her eyes and took a steadying breath.
"We can't change everyone's minds. That's just not how this world works. You have to accept that or you'll go crazy."
"Then what's the point of trying?"
"I don't know, maybe because it's right? I mean, what else can we do?"
Eula sighed.
The pair settled in for the night. Eula grabbed her friend and never let go. The fire died down and she fell asleep in those arms.