The next morning, when Nat woke up, she was sad, exhausted and confused to find herself in her own bed. She woke up with a startle, looking to her desk where she saw the unused birthday decorations she had for Diluc, decorations she never got to use the night before. She sat up in bed, pulling her knees to her chest and exhaling deeply. Pull yourself together Nat, she scolded herself, getting up to find a note on her desk from Albedo. Nat read the note, and decided to return to the Dawn Winery to check in on Diluc. She hoped she would be able to figure out what exactly happened the night before, and work together with the brothers to get the funeral preparations together. The brothers, though close, did fight over remedial things often, and Nat hoped it would be something they could tuck under the rug quickly.

Upon arrival at the winery, Nat saw burn marks in the muddy grass from the night before; events that seemed like a fever dream of sorts. She still couldn’t believe that the two had fought, or that she now knew Kaeya’s secret, but she put on her bravest face as she knew she still had to be there to support the now feuding brothers.

As she approached the front of the winery, ready for whatever Diluc was going to say, Kaeya burst through the door, a gauze patch covering his injured eye and his exposed eye red; from crying or his lack of sleep, Nat did not know.

“When did he leave?” Kaeya yelled back into the mansion, and a mumbled response from Adelinde came back, guessing two or three hours ago.

“Who is he?” Nat asked, surprising Kaeya yet again with her presence. He took a moment to compose himself upon noticing her, he would hate for Nat to think he was falling apart.

“Diluc has left.” He said, as he straightened himself, smoothing out his coat.

“Left for where? Liyue? We could’ve all gone to Wangsheng together, I’ve already sent notice to some connections there -” Nat started to ramble, but Kaeya cut her off.

“No he has left… Left to go anywhere but here.” Kaeya said, looking down as he finished his sentence, swallowing back more tears. Nat was confused and walked past him into the mansion, so she could talk with someone who wasn’t as riled up. She talked to Adeline, who explained that Master Diluc had met with Master Varka this morning, and after a heated discussion Diluc told Adeline he was leaving for a while and to watch after things. When she asked about the funeral, he said Nat and Kaeya would handle it. Nat felt a pit grow in her stomach and stepped back outside, where Kaeya sat on the front steps, head in hands. Nat took a seat next to him, pulling her knees up to her chest, and leaning onto Kaeya.

“I’m sorry Kaeya.” She softly spoke, trying her best to not think of herself and how badly Diluc had hurt her. “I’m going to go to Liyue today, sort everything out with the help of Xingqiu. I’ll make sure your father gets the best service possible.” Nat closed her eyes as she answered, mapping out her plans behind her eyelids. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Kaeya spoke.

“Thank you Nat. I don’t know what I would do if you weren’t here last night or today.” Kaeya sighed.

“You would’ve figured it all out on your own, I’m sure of it.” Nat smiled, making Kaeya chuckle.

“I’m not too sure of that.” He retorted, defeat lining his voice. Adelinde came out, apologetic again for Master Diluc’s rash decision and her lack of information. Nat told Adeline her plans to go to Liyue, and returned to Mondstadt to check in with Albedo before leaving. She had to thank him for helping her the night before, and apologize for waking him. Albedo was waiting for her on the bridge into Mondstadt when she arrived, leaning against the wall in Timmie’s usual spot.

“How are you Nat? Is everything alright at the Winery?” Albedo questioned. Albedo’s voice was calming and Nat immediately felt a sense of relief just being with him.

“Diluc has left.” She responded, causing the usually collected Albedo to become flustered.

“Left? For Liyue?” He asked, Nat sighed, and explained everything to Albedo as he put an arm around her, unintentionally holding her together as they started to walk into the city.

“In fact, I have to go to Liyue now before it gets dark, but I have to tell Jean Diluc’s gone first.” Nat deeply exhaled at the thought of telling Jean, but she knew Kaeya couldn’t, and Jean needed to know.

“I’ll come with you to Liyue, I cleared my schedule for the next few days to aid you with everything. You shouldn’t be alone through such tragedy.” Albedo answered, moving his arm down to Nat’s hand, holding it as he pulled her with him as they made their journey to Jean’s room at headquarters. When they arrived, Albedo chose to wait in the lobby, while Nat walked to and meekly knocked on Jean’s door. When Jean opened it, she was half ready for the day – hair down, a sweatshirt on over her work pants, and she looked worried to see Nat.

“Natayla, is everything okay? Do Master Diluc or Kaeya need something?” Jean asked. Jean didn’t know Nat as well as she hoped, but she knew she wouldn’t come unannounced like this unless it was important. Nat took a long pause before she answered. She looked up at Jean, who she admired so much, knowing she was going to break her heart too.

“Diluc has left Mondstadt on extended travel… He left early this morning and they don’t know when he will come back. I wish I knew more, but that’s all I know as well.” Jean looked through Nat, stuck on the words she was hearing. Nat continued, “I wanted you to hear it from me Jean, before there were any rumors.” Jean’s eyes started to water, but she quickly pulled herself together. Nat knew Jean and Diluc were more than friends, even though they tried to keep it private and had never made it official. Diluc would talk about Jean like she was the wind beneath his wings, even if she never saw them together, she knew there was lots of love. Nat continued, “I’m so sorry Jean. If you need to talk, I’m here for you.” Nat looked at Jean, and quickly took her in for a hug, knowing that’s what she had needed when she found out herself. When she let go of Jean, she explained that she would be heading to Liyue with Albedo to work out funeral arrangements, and requested Jean check in with Kaeya. “I’m worried he’s a loose cannon right now, but I need to figure out the service details.” Jean understood, and planned to check in on him twice a day while Nat was gone, though Nat hoped to be gone no more than one night. They discussed taking Klee to visit Kaeya, as she always seemed to brighten his day.

She met up with Albedo in the lobby, and they started their trip to Liyue. They were quiet at first, but Albedo started to talk about Klee’s latest troubles and his Aunt Alice. Klee was missing her mom, and Albedo was reassuring her that everything would be okay, and she would return if Klee needed her. She hadn’t heard Albedo talk much about his family, so she happily listened in, until Albedo switched the topic.

“Why did you want to take the journey before nightfall Nat?” Albedo questioned.

“In Snezhnaya you don’t go out of town after sundown.” Nat paused, thinking if she should truly open up, and she decided to trust Albedo like he trusted her. “When I first came to Mondstadt, my friend and I had run away. When the sun set, the wolves came out, and my friend didn’t make it out. So now I try to travel during the day.” Albedo looked surprised at her response.

“You’ve never mentioned your travels before, when did you first arrive to Mond?” Nat continued to tell Albedo the story of her arrival in Mondstadt, and how happy she is to be in the City of Freedom. “Lord Barbatos must have been looking over you.” Albedo chirped. Nat and Albedo continue on their journey, chatting away, until they were greeted by Xingqiu and Chongyun at the city entrance.

“Nat, I am so very sorry for your loss, I received your letter and went directly to Hu Tao,” Xingqiu said as he gave his good friend a hug.

“May the spirits look after him and allow him to move on” Chongyun added, bowing his head.

“And who is this?” Xingqiu ushered to Albedo, “You’ve never brought a friend with you.” Nat quickly introduced the boys to one another, and they made their way to Wangshang funeral parlor, where Hu Tao, the parlor director, and her assistant, Zhongli, told them exactly what they were putting together for Crepus.

“Here at the Wangshang Funeral Parlor, we supply only the best in funeral supplies and services,” Hu Tao explained, “Since your a friend of Xingqiu’s, and Crepus was so loved in Tyvat, I was able to provide you with the best discounts I could.” Hu Tao explained the finances, and Nat took out what mora she had saved up over the last years.

“Snezhnaya?” Zhongli asked, looking at Nat’s change purse which had caught his eye. What also grabbed his attention were the Geo visions on both Natalya and Albedo. It warmed him to see two people, together, who were worthy of the Geo Archons powers. He could tell there was great power in the two, and that they would do great things with their elemental powers. He took note to check in with them sometime in the future.

“Yes, I was born there but reside in Mondstadt now,” Nat replied, always bashful at her heritage.

“Ah, very interesting. Rare to meet a Sheznyan not in the Fatui, you’re a breath of fresh air.” Zhongli smiled, in fact, he had just met a young man about her age that had recently been promoted in the Fatui. It saddened him that the Tsaritsa would manipulate young children, but he was happy to see that at least one got away. “May I ask why you left Snezhnaya?”

Though flustered from the paperwork, Nat didn’t have the energy currently to fight off Zhongli’s questions. “The Fatui. They ruined my family, didn’t want them to ruin me too.” Nat responded, more cold then she had meant it to be. Zhongli backed off then, helping her finalize the paperwork for Crepus’ service.

Crepus’ service cost her almost every penny she had, between the casket rental, insurance, rental of the space, charms, and the services themselves, it was a lot of work and pressure. She was happy to be heading home the next day, only having to get through a meal with her friends before she could be alone in her hotel room at Wangshu Inn. They dined at the Wanmin Restaurant, where Xiangling treated them to their meal.

“You don’t have to treat Xiangling, really.” Nat said.

“This is no problem at all, you all are trying out new meals for me, it was the least I could do with everything going on.” She said, putting down plates in front of the friends.

“Thank you for not including the Jueyun Chili peppers in mine Xiangling,” Chongyun smiled as he talked, eating his own personal cold version of the meal.

“Anything for Yun Yun!” Xiangling answered, ruffling his hair. Nat had barely eaten anything, and wanted to stop by Bubu Pharmacy to pick up some herbs. Albedo and Xingqiu were deep in conversation, so she excused herself from the table, saying she would be right back.

Nat walked to the pharmacy in hopes of buying Violet Grass and Qingxin, herbs Chongyun told her were excellent for wounds. Or was it purging evil spirits? Regardless, she wanted to get some today, she hoped they would help heal her wrist, which hadn’t fully healed since her injury a few weeks earlier. She quickly walked up the stairs to Bubu Pharmacy, greeted by the young assistant feeding the finches.

“Hello… Welcome to… Bubu Pharmacy…” The little zombie girl spoke, slow and quiet, and Nat waved hello, having met her many times before. She had only recently learned Qiqi was a zombie, after Chongyun told her.

“Hello Qiqi! How are the finches today?” Nat responded, trying to keep up a face of normalcy.

“The finches are… good. They are hungry.” Qiqi went back to feeding the birds, forgetting that Nat was even there. Nat walked up to the counter, greeted by another familiar face.

“Hello Jo,” Nat greeted the assistant, “Do you have any herbs in today?” Jo turned around, her glasses sitting at the tip of her nose, pushing her blue hair behind her ears.

“Welcome in Nat, you’re lucky, we just got back from picking them.” Jo and Nat chatted for a moment, as Nat was a frequent at the pharmacy, buying medicinal herbs and treatments for the Knights. “How are you Nat? You seem off today,” Jo noted as she put Nat’s order in a basket.

“I’m okay Jo, my friends lost someone close to them, I’m just trying to help them out.” Nat responded, and Jo recognized that it was also affecting Nat. Jo had studied at the Sumeru academy, and while she didn’t base her studies in body language, she could tell by Nat’s lack of eye contact and the way she held her arm that she wasn’t okay.

“Well take care of yourself too Nat, I don’t want to see you in here all bandaged and bruised because you didn’t have your wits about you.” Nat smiled, and graciously took the herbs and went back to Wanmin. Chongyun and Xingqiu had headed out, Albedo was left alone sketching the scenery. He heard Nat approaching from afar, and turned to her with a smile.

“Ready to head to the inn?” Albedo asked, and Nat nodded in acknowledgement. She apologized for keeping him waiting, but he didn’t care. “I’m glad you got what you need, hopefully it helps your wrist, it was swollen yesterday when we trained.” Yesterday felt like a lifetime ago to Nat.

When they made it to Wangshu Inn, Nat and Albedo went to their rooms, and Nat plopped onto her bad with all her might. She didn’t bother showering, or taking off her shoes, she just laid there looking at the ceiling, closing her eyes. She hoped she would wake up and find it was all a nightmare, but she knew she would have to continue through tomorrow without Diluc and making sure Kaeya didn’t fall apart.