The following morning, Nat felt exponentially better, at least on the fever front. She woke up, Albedo next to her, pondering what she needed to do today. She decided she would go back to Lisa, and offer to help do research or fetch books off the shelves in an attempt to keep herself in the know without risking the integrity of the investigation. When Albedo eventually stirred awake, he kissed Nat good morning and asked how she was feeling. 

“Physically, much better. Mentally, still so so.” She explained as they lay facing one another in bed. 

“I’m going to take the day off, we can spend it together. I’ll just talk with Sucrose and-”

“Don’t do that.” Nat interrupted. “Go to Dragonspine, finish up, I’ll be okay. I’m going to spend my day in the library.”

“Natalya, please let me be there for you. Let me take the day.” He brushed her cheek with his hand and Nat reached up, placing her hand on top of his.

“I know, and I appreciate that. But sitting here in this room isn’t going to help either of us. I’ll go spend the day with Lisa, who will surely keep me busy with non-extraneous activities. You can finish cleaning up at Dragonspine, and we can have dinner together. Just don’t be late.” Nat smiled and Albedo agreed, knowing he had a lot he had to do in actuality.  

They got dressed and departed, Nat heading to the library, where she found Lisa buried behind even more books.

“Hey cutie, what brings you here today?” Lisa asked, flipping through a book.

“I need a distraction and want to help,” Nat said and Lisa started to respond, but Nat cut her off “I don’t want to do anything big, but let me fetch books or take notes or something. Please.” Nat felt like she was begging. Lisa sighed.

“Fine, sit down first though, I’m making tea.” Nat took a seat, looking at the board Lisa had with information about the case, Crepus’ murder, and the Fatui. Lisa placed a cup of tea in front of Nat and they sat for a moment. 

“So did you ever find the green-haired girl you were looking for?” Nat questioned, stirring sugar into her tea.

“Ah yes, Collei! I want you to meet her a little later actually…” Lisa trailed.

“Why is that?” Nat asked, sipping her tea. 

“I think you would be a good role model for her,” Lisa suggested. Nat was going to keep probing, but the door to the library opened with a determined Jean walking toward them. 

After quick hellos, Jean recapped to Lisa and Nat her encounter with Amber. Amber had gone out to do some investigation, into what Nat wasn’t sure about, but Amber had found a Hilichurl encampment. Amber was going to retreat, she had learned a lesson or two from Nat and her bad encounters, knowing that no knight should take on an encampment by themselves when he saw a strange Fatui Device. She attempted to distract the churls and retrieve the device when she was attacked by a giant Fatui machine. Jean had shown up just in time for the two to combine their efforts to take down the machine.

“Oh cutie, but you’re bleeding,” Lisa exclaimed as she got up to look at the cut on Jean’s side. The machine they fought must have been mighty for Jean to not only get hurt but tear a uniform since the Knights wore clothes made of strong fibers that were very hard to tear. Not that Nat hadn’t torn, burned, or ripped a few herself… 

Nat got up and gathered some medical supplies as Lisa ushered Jean over to a chair. As Lisa was cleaning the wound, Amber walked in with a younger, green-haired girl.

“Jean, are you okay?” Amber asked as she rushed over to Jean’s side, the young girl standing closer to the door as she stared at Nat. Nat smiled and waved, inviting her to come closer.

“I’m Natalya, but most call me Nat,” she said as she bent down and held out a hand to Collei, but she just stared at it. Nat took into account her bandaged body and nervous demeanor and felt it all too familiar. She felt a wave of nostalgia hit her, understanding why Lisa thought they would have a lot in common. “Look at us, we’re twins! Both covered in so many bandages,” Nat laughed as she took her hand back and stood up. Collei gave her a weird look.

“Collei, this is Nat. She is a member of the Knights of Favonius. She is super strong and smart in battle, we’re lucky to have her with us, she comes all the way from Snezhnaya!” Amber explained, and the mention of her home nation made Collei nervous.

“Don’t worry, I ran away from Snezhnaya, I don’t agree with Fatui.” Nat smiled, trying to be reassuring.

“I’m Collei, just a lone wanderer. I’ll be out of here soon.” Collei said, solemnly.

“But not before the Ludi Harpatsum,” Amber exclaimed, coming to Nat’s side. “I’m going to take Collei and show her how much fun Mondstadt is.” 

“I completely forgot Ludi Harpatsum was tonight. The last few days have been such a blur. Maybe I’ll see you both there, I’m sure Albedo will want to go as well when he’s back from Dragonspine?” 

“Is he the blue-haired guy with the eyepatch?” Collei asked.

“No that’s Kaeya and if he bothers you tell him Nat said to lay off.” Nat shook her head, imagining the trouble Kaeya must have caused to leave a lasting impression. 

“Speaking of, I need to change quickly for the festivities,” Amber said as she walked toward the door, “Would you mind staying with Collei for a little bit? I need to find Sir Kaeya quickly as well to give him something.” Amber didn’t give Nat time to answer before she was out the door. 

“Of course, why don’t I bring you back to my quarters? We can have some tea and freshen up?” Nat asked Collei, who looked down at her feet.

“I guess…” Was her only response.

“Great, let’s get going then. Lisa and Jean, I’ll catch you both later!” Nat exclaimed, waving, trying to hide her wince as the burns stretched with the motion. She brought Collei to her room, where she sat at a table, playing with her hands in her lap, and looking down.

“So Collei, what type of tea do you like?” Nat asked, but Collei didn’t answer. “Are you more of a coffee person?” Nat questioned, trying to get something out of her.

“Sunset berry tea,” Collie said without looking up. 

“A Sumeru tea? I think I may have some of that in here somewhere,” Nat explained while rummaging around for ingredients. “Are you from Sumeru?” She asked as she placed the ingredients on the table.

“Yes, I was born there,” Collei answered looking up at Nat, who crossed her bandaged arms over her chest.

“That’s cool, I’ve always wanted to go to Sumeru, I’m really into botany and herbal medicines and things. Have you only lived in Sumeru?”

“You ask a lot of questions,” Collei snarked and Nat laughed.

“Listen, I’m just trying to make this less awkward,” Nat said, unfolding her arms and boiling water to make the tea. “I came to Mondstadt when I was about your age, I know it’s hard.”

“What would you know about hard. Look at what you have,” Collei remarked with a tinge of angst.

“Well, that’s now. When I was your age I stayed with an older woman in town after running away from home. I came from Snezhnaya to live on my own here, looking for a fresh start away from them.” Nat said.

“Them?” Collei questioned.

“The same people who made you sick, the damn Fatui.”

“They hurt you? Is that why you have bandages on your arms?” Collei asked, suddenly full of wonder, like the possibility of someone understanding her had lit a spark in her.

“Well they hurt me, but they didn’t cause these,” Nat laughed holding out her arms, “We had a carriage fire in town early this week, I was there, and the carriage kinda exploded and well I got these burns.” That response caused a flush of embarrassment to wash over Collei. “But don’t worry I have plenty of other scars.” Nat pulled up the sweater she wore to reveal the scars on her abdomen. “This is all straight from the hands of Dottore, Barnabas, and some others. I’m still not really sure what it all was, but I know there were things removed and lots of needles and burning.” Nat explained, putting her shirt back and attending to the whistling kettle. 

“They experimented on me with a purple liquid, and now I hear voices,” Collei exclaimed, a little too excited. Nat kept her composure, as she poured them both a cup of tea.

“Well tell the voices to shut it, and hopefully one day you’ll find a new home with people who love you like I have. Do you have plans for after Mondstadt?” Nat asked as she sat across from Collei.

“Miss Lisa said a friend of hers is coming from Sumeru and will be able to help me.”

“Are you okay returning to Sumeru?”

“Yes, if I must. I don’t know what is left for me there, but if that’s what I have to do I will.”

The two sat in silence for a moment while they sipped on their tea. Nat wasn’t sure how much time had passed when there was a knock at the door and the Outrider let herself in, decked out in a festive outfit for the Ludi Harpatsum.

“Did you find Kaeya okay?” Nat asked as Amber gathered Collei.

“Ugh, did I? The quarter captain is so frustrating, I don’t know how you put up with him.”

“He’s not as bad as you think. He is overprotective of those he cares about, and likes to just get to work, so he can come off cold.” Nat said, sipping her tea. They had some small talk in the room before Amber and Collei started to leave. “Collei, make sure I see you before you leave town, okay?” Collei looked at Nat and nodded her head in understanding. 

Nat sipped her tea as the door closed and smiled: It looked like Nat had made a new friend.