Chapter Text
A speck of bright red stood out in the midst of a calm mellow green. It didn't quite seem like a flaming flower or a pyro slime. Upon closer look, you realized it was... a child wandering all alone?
"Hey!" You waved as you jogged toward the little kid. "What are you doing out here? It's dangerous to be wandering out by yourself."
"I'm not alone, I’m on adventure with my friend!"
"Friend?" You looked around, but there didn't seem to be anyone else in sight.
The small girl swiveled her body to show you a white puffball with rabbit ears and a foxlike tail. It swung playfully from its keychain, attached to her brown backpack.
"This is my friend, Dodoco!" She blurted cheerily.
"I see. Nice to meet your friend Dodoco." you said with a small smile. "And what about you? What's your name?"
You learned that the little elfen girl's name is Klee. She’s quite the vibrant packet of energy, excitement and happiness.
"Nice to meet you too, Klee." You introduced yourself, extending your arm for a handshake. She eagerly accepted the gesture and shook your hand. Now that you learned of her identity, you figured you should try to find out who or where to return her to.
"Klee," you asked with concern, "Do you have family or anyone looking after you?"
"Mom is traveling somewhere far away. But it's okay! I have big brother Albedo and uncle Kaeya!"
The two names she mentioned were not familiar to you.
"I also have my other friend, Jumpty Dumpty, to protect me from danger. Wanna see?"
Klee produced a round, bunny-eared entity nestled in a red pouch from thin air. Before you got the chance to confirm if this was the so-called "Jumpty Dumpty", Klee tossed the creature (Was it a creature? You weren’t sure) with a surprisingly hefty throw and—
KABOOM.
—demonstrated its destructive capabilities.
That was the moment you realized it's not her that needs to be protected from the dangers of Mondstadt's wilds. No, it was everything else around her which needed to be protected from the danger that was her. Numerous questions cascaded into your mind as you stared in awe and stupor. How hadn't she injured herself already? Why was a child carrying so many explosives? Where was she getting these things, and who was allowing her to run around like this?
She needed to be placed in someone’s care, ASAP.
"Let's head back to the city, okay?"
"Okay," she chirped happily.
You crossed your fingers and left it to the wind or the moisture of the grass to somehow eventually exhaust the fire that Jumpty Dumpty left in its place.
When you returned to the city and paid a visit to the Knights of Favonius Headquarters, a tall, blonde woman clad in white appeared before you and Klee. Judging by her stern glare and crossed arms, you supposed that she might be the one responsible for Klee, seeing how she was not too happy to see her accompanied back to headquarters by you, a stranger.
“Klee,” she chided.
“Uh oh…”
The little girl shrunk nervously like a puppy with its tail tucked between its legs.
The woman pointed at a sizeable wooden door, sending Klee into “solitary confinement”. Klee let out a small “aww” and sniffled as she dragged her feet in a mopey way to her room. She gave you a small, sad wave before the heavy, dull thud of the door echoed behind her.
The woman standing before you sighed wearily. “Sorry for the trouble she’s caused you.”
“Please don’t worry. She wasn’t too much trouble,” you reassured, shaking your head. “Are you Klee’s guardian or supervisor?”
“I apologize for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Jean. I am currently Acting Grand Master for the Knights of Favonius.” When Jean went on to explain her relation to Klee, it was to your great surprise and amazement to find out that the latter was, in fact, a part of the Knights. Klee wasn't just affiliated with them, but she had her own title: “Spark Knight”.
Mondstadt truly is the nation of freedom, you supposed.
You introduced yourself in return, shaking hands with Jean and then explaining that you traveled from Sumeru.
“Sumeru,” she mused thoughtfully. “That’s a rather faraway place, and it’s quite different from Mondstat, no? It isn’t too often that we have people come from there, but we welcome people from all parts of Teyvat.”
“We don’t often have people come from that way, likely because it’s rather far away, and it’s quite a different place compared to Mondstat. Regardless, we welcome people from all parts of Teyvat.”
You nodded. “That’s good to hear.”
Your conversation with the Acting Grand Master is short—she apologizes, explaining that she has to return to her work. You reassure her it’s nothing to worry about. Before you part ways, she offers you a considerate farewell. “I hope you’ll find your stay in Mondstadt alright. May the wind guide you.”