On Nat’s sixteenth birthday, a little over a year after she had arrived in Mondstadt, Varka asked to see her. She was nervous, worried he may not want her in the city as someone from Snezhnaya, someone who shared the same blood as Fatui. This fear was something she had been able to push off until recently, as news started to spread across Teyvat about the Fatui’s reach. She feared they would come looking for her, or blame her for Ajax’s death, bringing her back to Snezhnaya for prosecution. These were all thoughts that came to her in the middle of the night, when her training had ended and she had parted ways with her friends, nonetheless, it was something that kept her up at night.

Despite her fears, Nat walked into Varka’s office head held high, sword attached to her hip, ready for whatever news she was about to get. Varka was sitting behind his desk, buried in paperwork when Jean let Nat in. He looked up and greeted her, inviting her to take a seat, but Nat declined, too nervous to sit.

“Nat, I have seen you grow and flourish for over a year now, and I would like to officially invite you to join the Knights of Favonius.” Varka announced and Nat couldn’t believe her ears as she hugged Grand Master Varka from across the desk, quickly backing off when she realized what she was doing, bashful that she had possibly overstepped. Varka leaned against the desk, bringing him closer to eye level with Nat, “Your success is greatly important to me Natalya, I see a great potential inside of you. Please come to me whenever you need, and good luck as our newest member.” Varka spoke as he sat back down, returning to his desk and paperwork. Nat thanked him again for his offer, and ran out of his office, excited to run to the Ragnvindr household to tell her friends, and then back to Ms. Ingrid’s to tell her. To her surprise, Kaeya and Diluc were already waiting outside of the headquarters for her.

“Congratulations Nat!” They cheered, engulfing her in a hug as she ran down the steps, bursting with excitement.

“Oh, and happy birthday!” Diluc said, handing her the official badge of honor, her knight’s credentials, showing her as a real knight. She fought back tears of joy, not expecting to ever make it this far when she first left Snezhnaya, as Kaeya and Diluc backed away, smiles on their faces. They were just as excited to work besides Nat, someone who meant so much to them both. “Lets go to Angel Share” Diluc said as he motioned for them to start walking, chatting in excitement the entire way. When they arrived, Kaeya held the door open, showing Crepus behind the bar, shaking a drink of some sort and pouring it into a glass. The group walked over to the bar, sitting down in front of Crepus, Charles helping other patrons on the other side.

“For the newest knight!” Crepus cheered, pouring the liquid concoction out of the shaker and sliding the drink across the counter. Despite not knowing what it was, Nat took a sip, the alcohol burning the back of her throat immediately.

“Sir, what is this?” She asked, as she continued to drink it, afraid she may offend Crepus if she didn’t drink the entire glass. Though she often had dinner at the Ragnvindr home, and had helped Crepus around the winery, she still felt she had to impress him to earn her place with their family.

“Death in the Afternoon! A family favorite.” Crepus announced, answering Nat’s question. She acknowledged the drink’s name, still confused as to what it was, as she finished it, and continued to celebrate with her friends, which included Miss Ingrid, who also stopped by for a short time to celebrate with them, bringing a homemade cake. When closing time was through, and the party was over, Diluc had helped Crepus finish cleaning the bar, while Kaeya and Nat chatted and dried dishes. As they got ready to leave, Nat wasn’t just yet ready to go home.

“Can we go to Windrise?” Nat asked, with a little more enthusiasm than usual due to the few drinks Crepus has served her. Ever since her arrival in Mondstadt, Windrise had become a place of great wonder and hope for Nat. She had heard so many stories of the tree Vennessa ascended to Celestia at, and the area made her feel hopeful for the future. What better place to be on one’s birthday than a place of hope, she thought.

“Of course, it is your birthday after all, and today is a day worth celebrating.” Kaeya smiled. Crepus went home, leaving Diluc, Nat and Kaeya on their walk to Windrise. Nat rambled on about being a knight, and how excited she was, and the boys diligently listened until they approached the giant oak tree, and accompanying statue of seven. They sat down under the tree, Diluc keeping them warm with a small fire he started using his vision.

“You know, when I got my vision, I felt calmer despite the situation I was in. Like I had a more logical approach to the chaos.” Nat explained, as she watched Diluc start the fire. “Did you feel different when you got yours?” She asked.

“I didn’t have that with my vision,” Diluc started, “I just felt prideful.” Diluc sat back on his elbows in the grass, remembering that night, and Nat decided to have fun, creating a chair for all of them using her vision.

“Your work is always perfect Nat,” Kaeya laughed as he sat down on his new chair, “It is said that this tree is where Vennessa ascended into the heavens, joining Celestia,” Kaeya continued, “Of course the tree only grew here afterwards, as a testament to her courage.” Kaeya paused his story, pulling out a flask he had snuck out of Angel Share. He took a swig, and passed it around, each taking a sip.

“I’m so happy I met you both.” Nat softly spoke, and the two looked at her. They had known her for over a year, but had never seen her truly emotional. She was always happy, ready for the day, and grateful beyond belief. Only when she wasn’t around, they had expressed concern to one another about her emotional state, or lack thereof, seeing everything she had been through. The brothers had decided not to press her about it unless they truly saw a problem, something that hadn’t occurred. Nat continued, “I really don’t know what would have come of me if it weren’t for the two of you. I’m just so happy to be here, in Mondstadt with you both.”

“And we’re happy you’re here, we wouldn’t have it any other way.” Kaeya reassured, and the evening blurred into the morning.

The next few weeks were exciting for Nat. Of course, as the newest knight, Nat often felt like she had to prove herself. Working extra hours, training hard, and taking time to clean up headquarters from time to time, which really seemed to annoy Noelle. So much, in fact, that Jean had asked her to stop cleaning.

In order to keep her busy, and off Noelle’s list, the knights decided to entrust her as the liaison between the Knights and the Feiyun Commerce Guild in Liyue, something both Diluc and Kaeya backed, knowing Nat was up for the challenge. This position involved weekly trips to Liyue where she often met with the Guild’s Commissioner’s son, Xingqiu. She enjoyed spending time with Xingqiu, and his good friend Chongyun who often accompanied Xingqiu on business. Each week they were doing something different – waiting for shipments, accompanying high profile guests between the nations, or clearing paths blocked by Hillitrolls and treasure hoarders.

Nat enjoyed these trips, as it gave her the opportunity to test her skills and wit, and see how far she had come since she had been found on the dirt path she now passed every week. She could defend herself, wield a sword, and use her vision, even if she didn’t have the best control of it yet. Plus, her new duties allowed her to travel and make new friends.

Her first new friend, Xingqiu, was not only highly intelligent, but he was highly skilled in martial arts. Often, when they had spare time, he would show Nat some moves and help her build her own skill set. Occasionally, she would borrow his books to bring home and study, though Nat learned much better through trial and error than reading, but she knew the books were important to Xingqiu so she always read them and came back ready to chat about them.

“Straighten out your core more when you move Nat, you need to be forceful and confident,” Xingqiu explained in Liyue Harbor, as the pair waited for a shipment to come in from Fontaine with supplies the knights and guild were splitting. She kicked at his hand, missing and almost hitting Chongyun, who was walking back with food for them from Wanmin restaurant.

“You’re lucky you missed, Xiangling said this was the last batch of cold mountain noodles they had.” Nat smiled and apologized to Chongyun, the boy with too much Yang energy. It took her a while to wrap her head around what he meant, and honestly if it wasn’t for Xingqiu purposefully sneaking a chili into his food one day, Nat didn’t think she would ever understand. Chongyun and Xingqiu were the perfect pair, a yin and yang co-mingling. One being more adventurous then the other, always challenging each other to be better. Nat hoped she could find someone like that one day.

With Chongyun’s arrival, they all took a break in the harbor to eat, chatting about Chongyun’s most recent exorcism and Xingqiu’s writing. When the shipment arrived, Xingqiu and Nat split it up into what each nation was getting and Nat departed on her way home, making plans to see her friends next week when she came back. She guaranteed Xingqiu she would finish the book she borrowed the week prior, so he could return it properly to his library. Nat just hoped she hadn’t misplaced it.

On her way back to Mondstadt, Nat cut through Dragonspine, a cold and snow covered mountain. While many avoided Dragonspine, due to its frigid temperature and oddities, she often took routes through Dragonspine when she was alone as it reminded her of home. While she was happy to be in Mondstadt, she often missed the feeling of fresh snow falling on her face or the sound of crunching snow under her boots. Dragonspine offered a little bit of home whenever she needed it. When she arrived back in Mondstadt, she brought the shipment to the knight’s headquarters where Kaeya and Jean helped her unpack the supplies. Before leaving, Kaeya pulled Nat to the side and asked her to wait while he went to get something.

Nat waited patiently, curious what the ever devious friend of hers could be up to. But, when Kaeya returned, he didn’t have a prank, instead he had a young girl, no older than five with him. Nat smiled at the girl, but quickly shot Kaeya a confused glance.

“Nat, this is Klee. Klee is the new… Spark Knight here.” Nat gave a questioning look, but let Kaeya continue. “Klee and her brother Albedo will be staying with us for a while, Albedo is the new Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius.” As Kaeya finished, Nat knelt down to be eye level with Klee.

“It’s very nice to meet you Klee, I’m Nat. If you need anything at all, you or your brother, please find me.” Klee smiled and quickly hugged Nat in response.

“Klee’s big brother likes to stay on the snowy mountain, but Klee will tell him next time Dodoco and I go see him!” Klee announced excitedly.

“Klee, Dodoco can’t properly protect you out there. Please don’t go to Dragonspine alone, let one of us accompany you.” Kaeya reminded her.

“Who’s Dodoco?” Nat asked. Klee turned around and pointed to a keychain hanging off of her bag of a little figurine with bunny-like ears.

“Klee’s mom gave Klee Dodoco for protection, Dodoco is the strongest in all the land and helps Klee make her treasures!” Nat shook her head in understanding and stood back up. Kaeya leaned into her and whispered so Klee couldn’t hear.

“Her treasures are bombs, so please be wary.” Nat felt some of the color drain from her face as she thought of a five year old wielding bombs, but since no one else seemed worried she didn’t say a thing. Nat bid farewell to Klee, and Kaeya walked Nat out.He explained that Klee’s mother, a famous traveler in Tyvat, had left Klee in Albedo’s care, but Kaeya and Jean would be looking after her as well, when Albedo wasn’t available due to his work.

“Congrats on fatherhood Kaeya!” Nat exclaimed, patting Kaeya on the back as he nervously laughed at the idea as she left for her next adventure.