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FICTION

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Chapter 20: Little Steps

It was a normal day in Mondstadt. The birds were chirping, the wind was singing, and the children were happily huddled up in the school building as Stormterror had unfolded after months of relative peace.

The sudden entry of the monster really emphasize how bad 'misunderstandings' can shape the overall nature of a 'misguided boss'. I obviously was on the big bird-dragon's side because he got shafted by the abyss and kind of vanished after the first Archon quest. That being said, I also saw his entry as both unnerving due to the random storms forcing me to adapt my routes as to not get wrecked by random bouts of thunderous hell reminiscing of Inazuma's worst areas. Smuggling was already a bit complex, now it was becoming extremely annoying to keep this going.

I was a kind man, but a man has a limited patience. And I had the means to bring explosive justice to the feathered winged lizard if he so wanted. Okay, maybe not outright, but I was waiting for a certain someone (or two-ones) that were meant to appear quite soon since Stormterror was meant to arrive. Either Aether or Lumine, plus the Emergency Food known to be the most annoying guide ever - Paimon. With them reaching Mondstadt, the main plot would unfold as expected, and I could lean back while they did their thing while I kept around as a background character.

Why would I want to step back from action? Let's just say I had this great idea worthy of Aha's fattest giggle: I will play the relief/slapstick character, the 'unimportant' element which will then gain importance through Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru and then, masterfully so, I will be doing some plot-heightening bullshit to get sudden prominence and love by the world as a whole as Sampo is love and Sampo is life!

...

Actually, I just want to be a bit of a troll.

Times have been too tame for my tastes, and while business was roaring nicely, I needed to get back to the fun zone. And this had to happen right when the Traveler came along. And, to my relief, it didn't take too long for that to be a thing.

In fact, I was busy with some difficult paperwork (sketching Klee bombing a certain 'angel') when I heard a bit of a ruckus at the receptionist area. After that Signora's encounter, there had been no instance where that was tied to Fatui. In fact, Signora visited the school, had fun around the kids, even took over some lessons because she was begged to by most of the girls (Klee in charge of them all) and she was a common sight nowadays. So, it wasn't Fatui. But it was a rather panicky Amber.

The most important people in Collei's current life were me (a beloved character), and Amber (who would hate her beyond her outdated gameplay style?). So, when the outrider arrived with a urgent tone, making Collei both happy and worried too, I swept in expecting to meet the traveler and Paimon but... there is Paimon, this much I could see as the adorable but painfully squeaky mascot was hovering around Amber and the little kid in the brunette's hold: girl, blonde, yellow eyes, a pretty sleeveless white dress with a gold star on its upper chest section, a little sword by her back and an Inteyvat flower by her hair.

Holy smoke Aha, someone shrunk Lumine into a mini-cutie! And I think I heard something crash in the background of my existence - something that sounded like my masterful long-termed plans to become the best character of Teyvat following my precious sister and Furina. A pity, really, but this was indeed a gut punch I didn't know how to digest just yet.

"Oh, Mr. Sampo! We were looking for you- here, take her for a moment!"

I suddenly was holding a very confused but chill Lumine, and we both turned to Amber. "Amber, what is going on?"

"So, I found little Lumine and Paimon hanging around near hilichurls, they were fighting them, and I decided to take them to Mondstadt."

"And you could have been a bit more mindful before taking Lumine all the way here without much of a warning!" Paimon's shrill tone made me flinch as I noticed Lumine turning to look at me with a determined look.

"Amber said you were super-smart and traveled lots, Mr. Sampo, right?"

I frowned. "Well, I have visited a few regions-"

"Have you met my brother?!" She squeaked/demanded, and I found her suddenly staring eye-to-eye to me as she pulled my face down.

...

"No?"

Lumine deflated. "Oh."

"Of course, I haven't checked all regions, but that doesn't mean things have not changed in the last few years. So looking around those places wouldn't hurt."

My words raised her confidence a bit more. "Really?"

"Yep! Still, you can't exactly leave Mondstadt before the Stormterror situation is handled," I pointed out, her eyes showing confusion at the term, making me realized she had yet to be informed of the scary dragon situation.

Actually, it makes sense since she got introduced to Stormterror proper when she tries for her wind glider's license- which I doubt that was happening anytime soon considering Amber wouldn't let a kid fly with the feathered dragon around. So, I took some time to explain the kid what is going on, she listened raptly and then gasped at the end when I explained how Mondstadt had troubles trading around and free passage to other nations had been limited due to Stormterror.

"So, to get out of Mondstadt to look for my brother... I have to beat Stormterror!"

I frowned. "Or maybe just, you know, help around and maybe the situation will get fixed by someone... uh..." I looked at Amber for help with the wording but she shrugged. "Seasoned in those matters. You aren't a local so... it would be wrong for you to take charge and blindly chase after such a strong opponent."

"...That's fair," Lumine nodded and soon slipped out of my hold, pointing at the door. "Paimon, let us find Miss Jean and ask her what to do to help!"

And the blonde bolted, poor Paimon giving chase, with Amber tagging along since we all knew Lumine didn't know where Jean was in the city and possibly needed a guide for that.

I was left behind with Collei and I smiled. "That little one feels weird. The good kind of weird."

"...What do you mean?" The greenette asked and I leaned on the counter.

"It means I doubt she is from Teyvat."

And that only confused Collei more. But, to be fair, what plans I was now dabbling with in trying to keep the little one from failing and actually succeed in her goal may puzzle her some more.

After all, I couldn't stick around Mondstadt for long and I may have to be the wrangler of a little explorer and her voracious companion.

AN

Sampo: So, I have this plan-

Aha: Adopt the Traveler!

Sampo: What? No, I-

Aha: It's too late, you have been adopted (as a dad)!