Its time to put to service a warm clothing, because this snow man, don't build itself. Be ready Snezhnaya, because Traveler and Paymon are on its way. Plus no financial issue in sight.
...
A deep loud honk of a passenger ship horn, introduce us to a new chapter of Traveler story.
A ship captain shouting an announcement for passengers. "Snezhnaya~a!! Snezhnaya~a!! We arrived at Port Belovodye. All passengers: Be careful while departing on the dock, it can be slippery. Don't forget, that you must pass border office. For all newcomer, do not underestimate the cold north environment, or travel without a proper armed guide. Our you will die."
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Our best guide Silver Paymon and Golden haired Traveler, had passed the border office check in, and just walked out the door, slowly pacing toward the town center.
Paymon once again stretched up, even if she was levitating. "I told you, they dint joked about needing an iron ship to travel out and into this land. That storm at sea was really something." Then she rise a question. "But what was with the border guys? They star to sweating the moment, they realize who we are. Its almost look like they were expecting a beat up from a thug who don't negotiates."
This was an opportunity for Traveler to make a clever note. "Shall I ask them for a pocket money?"
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"Nah! This require something more impacting. Like a shout at beginning of a new adventure." She make a pose for delivering a punch line, shooting a pointing finger forward. "Snezhnaya's cuisine, here I am!!" That amused Traveler so Paymon address her companion. "Its your turn!"
Golden haired made a combat like pose of a challenger, ready to grab its price. "Primogems of Snezhnaya, here I am!!"
.
"A what??" Paymon cutely tilted her head to side. "You, and your sleepy talks about those gems. What are they supposed to represent?" Because adventurer make this (How I shall to explain it?) silly gesture of scratching back of head by hand, miss guide sighed. "Never mind, Paymon is fully aware that some dreams can be quite crazy. That's why people forgetting them so soon. But for you, to note them on some occasion, they really must meant something. Like collecting a washed ashore shiny-ies, during morning walk on beach."
Traveler only smiled showing a thumb up gesture of approval.
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That make the silver kid to cheer up as they walk. "Do not worry. Paymon grabbed the opportunity to read all the pamphlets and leaflets about Snezhnaya, so she is fully ready to guide you."
As expected, golden adventurer smile widen up. "Thanks Paymon."
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Except this was moment for miss guide to change the topic. "On the other hand; Did you noticed? The locals staring at us."
As the duo look around, the people around, Indeed stared at them. Even if they were doing something, or talking. They drop it. Somehow the surprise among them was clearly visible.
Adventurer tried to make it sound easer. "Maybe they are entertained by how much we don't fit here. Remember? Even Amber jumped on us, because we dint look like locals."
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Silver one got worried. "More like she was lured to descend from the skies. I hope, that this will not turn into an ambush, with them holding the knife in hand. Maybe we have a bad reputation here. Maybe the word about us joining the battle with several fatui don't reach them and now they think we are the bad guys."
Yet gold one take the lead. "Paymon, calm down!"
Whoever, locals were already tailing them, and more were showing from all direction. Some of them had curious expression on they faces.
.
So it was on place, for miss guide to freak out. "Oh no! Paymon jinked it!"
Brave hero quickly look around the plaza/square, for an escape route.
But they were already surrounded by a wall of people. It almost feel, like something wrong is with them, as they approached them like a bunch of zombies or as brainwashed crowd. The duo was forced to back up toward the center of plaza, where monument of hero party of past was standing.
The ring of free space around them was shortening, putting a great pressure on the duo, to do something radical.
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Then a rescue come from a familiar face of a Adventure Guild receptionist, as she loudly put her foot down onto the pavement. She shout on crowd an iconic phrase, while sounding extra theatrical. "Ad astra abyssosque!" Then instead of her usual (Welcome to the adventure guild.), she followed with more theatrical way of speech. She even do some obvious strong gesticulation like a actress on a stage. "Brave silent hero of hart of gold. And its trusted guide of silver tongue. Welcome to the Snezhnaya, home of the adventurers guild."
Everybody stop in place, so it was Paymon who make a shout full of hope. "Katheryne! You here too! Please help us!" Guide and traveler look at her with begging gaze.
.
Instead, Katrin stand up into her formal posture and sounded calm, coldly calculative, efficient. "Curious." AS if evaluating pros and cons for a single second, she quickly made her mind. "Yes. I can do that." And she step up close in front of them. "Do not worry. I can arrange things." Then she tilted her head for a moment as if she realized something. "Hmm? Oh. I think you two misunderstand. You are not in danger of immediate harm."
Of course Paymon get confused, rising her shoulders and hands in (I don't know) gesture. "We are not?"
The traveling duo exchanged they glances.
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The receptionist was seriously short and direct. "Yes. You are in different danger."
Guide frow at her. "Now you being a silly. What's that even mean? You are quite unusual compare to Katheryne we know from all other nations."
The duo look around at people standing around. They notice that some of locals who come to form the wall of people, had amused smirk on they faces. Some of them were starting at the duo with wide eyes, curiosity and confused. Some of girls were whispering with each other, gossiping. And some people were just standing there curious of what will happen next.
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Katheryne has realized something. "Fascinating. Perhaps you don't realize it yet. Maybe you overreacted due the rough night at sea." Once again she was coldly calculative, as she measure both of them from head to feat. "Let me clear your confusion, with a little story of me."
She dint bothered to wait for any question. "When my sisters, one by one, starts talking in they letters about golden haired silent Traveler and its silver tongue living Seelie; as you two traveled from one country to another; I though they are pulling an elaborated chain prank. You two already know, that when Khaenri'a was struck with a catastrophe, the tragedy spread across Teyvat like a wild fire. Snezhnaya was not an exception. But because of our climate, the fate was a costly one."
For some reason locals start to look a little bit sad as she mentioned the cost. But receptionist continued with her story. "Eventually a group of heroes rise up to rally others aiming to defeat the tragedy. Every child in Snezhnaya know the story about hero party, fighting against the cruel destiny. They bravery was shining the light of hope, like a beacon guiding those whit lost hart toward better future."
She walk around the duo, to stand next to them, while getting closer to the monument. She rise a pointing finger in a gesture that ask them to pay her full attention, looking at her face. "A monument was risen to memorize they noble actions. To memorize it in stories. An adventurer gild was established and spread across Teyvat, to honor they bravery. To pay the debt, of be saved. To answer the call for help. Even if in several cases, send off personal explained differently, for what they departed off. Some of them in clear wrong way, making a bad name for everybody in Snezhnaya."
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Paymon quickly catch on. "Like a Signora, or a Dottore."
Katheryne nod in agreement. "In case of Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter, I think that it was her broken heart, that caused her to stroll from the correct path, to do what she done. Fortunately, there was someone who correct her. Zandic on other hand, got mad by crossing the line of taboo. Even a genius is not immune from madness in the forbidden knowledge. What a loss."
The two made this (Oh no! That is our bad!) expression, but this story teller look up at monument. "Don't bother with that. There is a confusing mystery at hand, that begging for an answer. Look at this and tell me! Those statures were standing here for centuries. So can you notice something odd at them?" She even do a gesture, inviting them to look up.
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Up on this block of chiseled stone, were standing two pairs of statures, representing a hero party. All of them had this cool pose. One pair of male and female look like locals born out snow and ice. Then the other pair of boy and girl look like siblings from distant land.
Traveler in sudden shock, opened its eyes wide, nearly losing its air from lungs.
Paymon received shock too, but she yelled. "Wait a second!! You told that those statures are here for centuries. Then why Aether and Lumine are standing over there together?! "
It was Katheryne time to rise her hands and shoulders in (I don't know.) gesture. "A mystery. Isn't it? All I found is, that the statures were created by certain artist based on personal request following a very specific story it had. That maybe or maybe not be part of the hero party. Plus do you see that empty spot? According to records, the hero party had more members that four, but the author run out of stone, and the rest was never finished."
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Detective Paymon calmed down. "Oh now I get it. Its like when we meet Mona. She foretell when and where we will be and meet us there. Plus there is her master, who is really good at divination. In that sense, our journey did really start at Star-snatch cliff. Right? This can be just an another divination, made in far past or something like that. Like awaiting the golden siblings on they journey to find each other."
Silent assistant give it a though. "Or maybe my sibling has here and this can be just a coincidence of mentioning me." Then the expression on Traveler face get serious. "Or, this can be an obvious hint, that there is a long buried problem with ley-lanes, that will explode into our faces the moment we touch it."
Suddenly Katheryne lean very close to the traveling duo faces, scare jumping both. "Curious. Do the Traveler of legends?; who's deeds are know all cross Teyvat, dare to save the land, that goods show no favors? Just as I wanted to hear."
Then a random woman, in urgent need to speak up, lean to the duo. "Can?… Can I ask for your autograph?"
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Before the duo had a chance to freak out, the receptionist step into the action and without any hesitation organized an autography session. With our heroes in middle, sitting behind a table with a pen in hand, they spend they energy there until midday arrived.
After final fan was pushed away by Katheryne, little Paymon complain that she is hungry. In return she invited to dinner. Her treat.
.
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Because both of them give her a suspicious glare, she explain. "Well I need you two to have a lot of energy."
Paymon got curious. "For what? For more crazy stuff?"
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Receptionist seems to be amused by that commentary. "If you think that this was a crazy experience, wait until you see the expo located in Snezhnograd city. So~o many gift shops." Suddenly she start making a lot of exaggerated poses, as if she was clerk distracting customer to buy. "They selling those cute pillow plushies." She close the distance to floaty face. "Be careful, someone may mistook you for a merchandize and snatch you. Such adorable one you are."
For some reason miss guide don't freak on this one. "Okay, You are definitely something. You are so different from the rest of Katheryne we know, that calling you just Katheryne don't seem right." Then she realize something. "Wait, why are all of you called Katheryne anyway? Don't tell me, that its like a sure name for you, or a family name." Little one throw a gesture pose of a detective investigating a suspect. "So what's is the other name, or nickname, people calls you."
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This one of many sisters, responded by gesture pose of a tricky villainess, reluctant to please the hungry detective with tasty answer. "You want to know…"
For a few seconds, there was a stand out staring game, a contest of will of who will back first, between Katheryne, Paymon and Traveler.
Then the receptionist make a deal. "If you so found of bringing to light, this first name you are talking about. I let that open for you, to figure it out. To shout that answer to me." Yet she change the direction. "The name we use together as sisters, its what mistress calling us."
Little one firstly started by asking a question. "Who is this mysterious mistress you talking about?" But she quickly cached on, that the marionette talking about her creator, and floating (not a Seelie), dropped all her excitement. "Now it all making a sense. Having a such tsundere genius as a boss and role model, must leave an impact."
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In response Katheryne make a ballerina like dance move, doing a full spin on one leg. "Its still better that just fooling around all day."
Paymon answered that question without hesitation. "And we know that person to. That's a quite strong interactive example to follow. I am right?"
Silver one look up at Golden companion, and Traveler nodded in Agree. "Sandrone and Columbina." Hero look up toward green receptionist from adventurer guild. "Are they around?"
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But the woman shaken her head. "My apology, but neither mistress or Watcher, are currently present or available."
Guide girl made a point. "Calling Columbina a watcher is quite unique. But is quite accurate. She do walk around and watch. Helping here and there and just move out as if nothing extra ordinary happened."
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They finally arrived at HQ to Katheryne desk. "No time to waste. Because I have a shit ton of commissions for you. That also include your own room at HQ, proper clothing for this region and secured food for the rest of your stay. Lets go!" And she place a quite thick stack of paper sheet in front of them.
Paymon had this (I know there is a catch in this game.) expression. "Not bothering to sugar talk anymore. Don't you?"
But because receptionist emphasis that they will earn a lot of money, making this money gesture, it was the selling point. Both adventurers got this (Yay, money!) eyes with happy expression.
.
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Fast forward, both adventurers just done a last commission from a long long list and returned to HQ. Paymon is giving the receptionist a (I don't buying your excuse!) stare. "Okay Katheryne, give up already. There is no way you kept all those commissions for us at side of your table. And of course, I dint buying either, that all those adventurers around want to see the hero in action."
Except receptionist stay calm. "What are you talking about? You two are the top and most trusted employees. The entire adventure guild counting on you."
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Silver girl dint let herself to be sugar talked as she look around and saw a several green dressed people, obviously members of adventurers guild, as they slacking around doing nothing. O~or… they were busy with random things. Like a body building training of all kind, reading books, writing, looking at stuff, or have a seriousstrategy meeting. But nobody, nobody dared to come even close to the commissions board to look and take a job.
So Paymon return to look directly at Receptionist. "Katheryne, are you in some trouble? Or guild is in trouble? Those guys look like they don't helping with commission on purpose."
And that's was where Traveler drop the import description. "Its a strike." It was a direct reference of the worker refusing to work as some kind of statement or protest.
But a large bag full of coin, drooping on on counter, making this iconic rattling noise, redirected attention of duo on receptionist.
She was calculative. "If you done with affairs that don't concern you as a heroes, then lets get back to business. This is a bonus reward for you seniority aspect, that you obtained from doing all those commissions." Paymon had this money eyes as she tried to reach out for the bag, but the woman stop her with outstretched hand. "You are not yet authorized to use them."
Of course, that was a confusing enough so she explained. "You have one special commission left to do. You had been summoned by certain someone and the bag of coins is only just for show-off, to get into the door without any hassle. The mistress is not here, to overrule the commission, so my hands are tied." Without stooping she hand them a letter. "This is the certificate of validity of fund your earn, and a form for a letter of recommendation you will need latter. Once again, the mistress is not here to do it itself."
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Trusted guide point out the obvious. "This is quite elaborate set-up for a scheme. Why do we even need a letter of recommendation in first place? And is there anything else we shall know?"
Woman in green nodded. "Reasonable. Not everybody are happy that you come to Snezhnaya. Somebody even spreading a word, that all those great deeds you had done, has origin in you. That you caused the trouble you claim to solve."
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Of course Paymon rise a objection. "Rubbish! We don't going around blabbing of what we archived! Look at Traveler. Even now is radiating the silent confidence."
Golden hero proudly back up its companion. "You have it all covered."
Katheryne also nodded. "Indeed. That's why I believe that you will be ambushed. And that ambush will be used in dirty play, to pull an arrest warrant on your heads. Witch will lead into deployment an entire barrack forces to fight you."
Silver girl asked if the receptionist is pulling a prank, but woman shaken her head. "The probably of you two, be accused as fraud is quite high. Plus, you will need the recommendation letter, in order to enter Zapolyarny Palace where her majesty rest or Glupov fortress where fatui rest, or Royal Military Academy that's and optional stop. Or practically everywhere in Snezhnaya, without been constantly stop at point blank of a gun."
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That frown on silver girl tell that she sniffing a story behind that claim. "Why I have a suspicion, that this already happened more that once."
Yet woman in green was evasive with her answer. "I am not in position to reveal personal information to not involved third party. Anyway there is a coupon for a train ticket with your names, singed by mistress ahead your arrival. So even if someone will pull strings and try to prevent you to obtain the train ticket, this shall be enough to get through."
That's why even golden hero intervene. "Definitely something sketchy is going around. Are you really okay, Katherine?"
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Somehow surprised by that question, receptionist smiled at them. "Of course. This light tea is not enough to take me down." And she make this pose gesture of strength, showing how big her bicep muscle are, failing on point that as marionette, she don't have muscles.
It dint click with trusted guide. "Once again, not a something that we will expect to hear from Katheryne. You shall work on those puns more. Its like this work is putting a lot of pressure on you."
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And this woman delivered a punch line, that never sound good. "What are talking about? My work is what determine me."
Now it click in head of little miss Ace detective. "Oh no! This nearly sounded like you don't know nothing else that your job. When was the last time you been on vacation?" It visually confused Katherine so Paymon formulated the question more specifically. "Outside country?" Woman in green tiled her head on one side. "Outside the port?" And receptionist got fully confused expression of not getting what the little one is talking about. So silver girl went to ask for help her companion. "Traveler, I think we have here a serious case of Workaholic Shut in."
Golden hero, nodded and vent into direct counter attack, outstretching open palm, asking the overworked person to take on it. "Katheryne, how will you liked, to accompany us for a while on our journey."
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That marionette got a shock from that sudden offered opportunity. No!; she went through a full electro shock as she blushed and smiled awkwardly, throwing sparks in every direction. Then without any other words she just panic run away like a maiden who fallen into love. Leaving the duo alone.
Paymon rise her shoulders. "Well, that was shocking." And Traveler shake head as response to that pun.
.
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Fast forward once again, our traveling duo reached the place of meeting, that was this big building. Traveler let Paymon to carry the big money bag, heavy by all the coins inside it. Before the even touch the doors a duo of guards stand in they way, demanding to know what is they business here. We shall note that as one guard had been on rude side, the other throw a (Are you serious?!) gesture toward the first one, as if the coworker don't recognized who is standing in front of them.
Travel do say: "We had been summoned." So the duo carefully look at them, finishing the stare at the big bag of Mora in Paymon arms. So the duo step assise, opening the door for them.
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When the traveling duo went in, silver one start to talk. "That's was weird. What was with those two?" Then she look around and panicked. "Wait! This is a Northern bank HQ?! Oh no! Don't tell me, that they gona charged us with some ridiculous moneys as a fee for entering a Snezhnaya?! Then all this commissions run, was a trick to rise those money, just to give them up?" She went to pet the bag as if it was her child or a pet. "My money bag, I don't wanna part with you."
And of course golden hero reached out. "Calm down Paymon, this must have an explanation. Lets heard first what is this about."
At this point everybody in hall know about they presence, so someone who look like personal assistant of director, approached them. She was a woman with round eye glasses, who dint smile as she went through too many extravagances of her boss. "Dear customers, the director is awaiting for you. Follow me!"
.
After praising the fast customer service, they were lead into director office. As the woman close the door after them, they were left alone with a person reading a wide newspaper, fully immerse in it, so they dint see who it was. But because that person dint reacted on they arrival, Paymon try to rise her voice in "Hello? We had been summoned here. So~o?"
Only now that person reacted at they presence, drooping the newspaper, revealing that it was a fatui #9 Pantalone the "Regrator", full name Feofan Sergeyevich Veksel.
Because Traveler recognized that man, from time they crossed they path, who in order to slow down Traveler to save the day had a lot of smart comments; it was an instant fire match for a combat. Without a hesitation golden hero draw the blade, throwing a battle glare at opponent. "Its you!!"
Paymon got surprised, but out of scare she dint say a word.
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Whoever, Pantalone dint show to be threaten. No! Even now he had this cunning aura around him as he this manipulating-person gesture with his hands. He sound amused, with a snake like smile. "That's cute. You do live into your reputation, a true hero ready to strike down the wrongdoer. Yes its me! Now sit down! We have business to do, whatever both of the party want it or not. And for that, I am bound to obey any contract, what ever I like it, or not. Of course I will liked if we never meet, but I muss proceed this." Not carrying about the drawn blade, this man put away his newspaper and reach for some documents, stored on his table draw just for this event. "If only everybody who draw a weapon on me was this cute like the two of you… Perhaps I will have a different reputation."
Traveler exchanged a silent glance with Paymon for a while. Only then they two approached the table, still keeping a guard high. Only when golden one sit down, the silver hasty asked. "Are you trying to ticked us, by bill charging us for all that Fatui stuff we destroyed, or what?"
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This make that man to stop in all process, while staring at floating girl for several seconds. Then he reached for his messenger at desk and press button, to open the communication. "My dear moon shine, can we charge Traveler, by the financial damage on all project that sunken because of Traveler intervention?"
A deep sigh of (Not this shit again.) echoed from the device revealing that it is that assistant woman. "Denied!" And she hung up.
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For some reason his smile, showed a hidden amused of teasing, as if he know the answer all the way, but still pull the call as a prank. "Well. That was a short amusing adventure. Lets back to the business. Put that bag on table! And I believe you have other documents to hand over."
The duo once again exchanged glances, but do as he said. So when he single look at the income report, he make a smirk. "They call me manipulative, when they practically set you up. Not my problem." Instead he push a written deal toward Traveler. "With this signature. Your bank account at Northern Bank is officially open. It will allow you to enter and do business in Snezhnaya and all Fatui related facilities. Of course the recommendation letter is declaring your direct affiliation with Harbingers. That's shall shut up a lot of bad mouth. Plus, you have now an open opportunity to ask for a project money, on a project directly found by Northern bank. Of course it still need to be approved."
Paymon slam her small hands on a table. "Wait a second!! You just dropped a serious piece of lore at us. Its merely sounded like you just subscribed Traveler to join a Harbingers."
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Except he continue to smile like a snake, while rise a finger. "No, no! Don't interrupt me. No matter how it look, I value my time highly. So I just covering all bases, and possibility that can occur. Our country going through a time of pressure, and many are just too skeptic. So I give the hero of Teyvat access to all cards ahead. There is no need to waste any precious time by standing in waiting line in a bank for the small stuff."
He cross his fingers in sly expression. "Now… I will like to address the true reason why I summoned you here. Its about our dear former coworker Damselette, and financial questions."
Paymon on spot shout while pointing her pointing finger at him. "You not going to try to tax the Frost Moon, right?! Just how greedy you can be?!"
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Of course there was another moment of frozen silence, after which he again reached for the messenger machine. "My dear moon shine, can we taxed, confiscate or invest in a Frost Moon that is algidity in possession of #3 harbinger, The Damselette?"
Miss assistant angrily growled onto the machine. "Can you please stay in restrain of Teyvat? This is going to be ridiculous quite fast." And she once again hung up.
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Paymon was already in her detective role. "Are you fighting?"
But Pantalone keep smiling. "Not at all. But lets go back on track. Traveler; I heard a interest snipped of information. And its say, that you named our dear coworker Damselette, giving her anchoring name Columbina. Do that make you her…" He seem to hesitate for a moment if he shall continue this. "Are you see yourself as her guardian?"
Travel put a hand on chest, making a declaration. "If that means to protect her from harm she can handle herself, then I will stand up anytime."
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Regrator seem to be amused. "What a parent like answer. So tell me, what's her financial habits?"
Instead, guide girl intercept. "Hold on! What's that have to do with any of this? Don't tell me you planing a moon size financial scheme?!" Because there was another pause, Paymon put her foot down. (Imaginary stomping the floor while still floating.) "And don't you dare to: (My dear moon shine, can we snatch the ownership of a Frost Moon for the glory of Northern bank?) Or anything similar to this nonsense."
Even Traveler gave him a (looking down at you) stare.
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But he seem to unfazed. "Next question. Had you see her handling a money? Was there any particular behavior that stand up from normal?"
On the other hand silver girl got frustrated. "What are you talking about?! Of course that we…" And she froze thinking, losing her steam as the realization crawled to the surface. "We don't? She walk on stroll… looking around… and…" Suddenly she lean to her companion, whispering. "(Hey. Do we ever see her using Mora? Or her mentioning something about paying after buying anything? The only thing I can remember at now, is the trade of miracle for offered food.)"
A determination sparked in Traveler eyes addressing Pantalone. "Do this mean, that Collumbina?…"
And the man just fast spoke the real info dump, dropping fact fast, for which he summoned them for. "...never claimed any of her pay-checks. She newer pick up any Mora from her account. Newer requested any money. And newer be seen to pay for anything. At this point, I doubt that she know for what those gold coins are."
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Bot of the visitors exchanged glances. Paymon was shock. "Well. That's one heck of golden hart. She definitely fit pretty well between the rest of Archon. She literally an embodiment of person living in paradise without the need to have a single worry for Mora. Forget my previous statement about Archons wandering the Teyvat without single Mora in they pockets. She practically leveled it up all way to moon."
Even the golden hero facepalm itself, wile reminisce at all the Mora expenses this duo faced on its journey across Teyvat.
Harbinger #9, Pantalone, the Regrator; kept its business expression. "Adorable. Well as the person bound to fulfill the contract, I muss ask: That you as her guardian, parent or what ever, I don't care; that you will supervise her growth in financial literacy."
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Both of them glanced at him silently, if he is serious about this. Only when Paymon mentioned that she is traveling, he stop smiling and frowned for first time, that he is facing a serious problem.
Then he fully seriously glanced at the messenger machine, give it a firm stare. After a while he press down the button, sounding serious. "Miss M, please remind me, that I muss write circular letter to all our offices and agents across Teyvat, that if they meet Miss Damsalette the Columbina. They shall ask her, if she know, that she have a saved Mora on her account. Plus if she was already educated in financial literacy. If she was not, they shall educated her all the way. We cant afford to have a coworker who don't even get the concept of poor and rich."
A clear confusion showed in miss Assistant voice. "Understand. Writing down."
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Only now it seem that the bank director, relaxed a little, returning its gaze to his two guest. "That will be all. Welcome to the Snezhnaya, dear heroes of many." Without a delay he show them a gesture toward the door they come from. As the duo rise from seats; (Paymon was just making a tearful god bye to her former pet the heavy money bag.); and both of them walk toward the doors, Pantalone did spoke up again having a strict (dangerous?) expression, and serious tone. "One last thing Traveler. Snezhnaya is a land that received no favor from a goods. Will you then, bless; Our dear Tsaritsa, the Anastasya Feodorovna fon Snezhnaya; with the same mercy you showed to the other Archons and goods?"
Paymon wanted to spoke, but that (battle stare) from Harbinger, rob her from words.
Traveler on other hand, returned a silent determinate glare, and put a fist on its chest. It was a greeting of members from adventure guild, a statement, having a meaning for those who know.
Without any other words the duo left, leaving this man to himself as he stare menacingly at the door. After a moment he returned to his usual snake smile. "Don't blame me for this Traveler. Because for the upcoming trial, you will need all the help you can get." But still, he got deadly serious at last part. "The snow is coming."
...
[Notes:]
-I found it funny, but assistant Moon is a reference to (Zhu Li Moon from Last avatar: Legend of Kora) the assistant to crazy excentric inventor, who was telling her "Zhou Li, do the think!" And she finished tasks with stoic efficiency.
-Hi, Dretnoth here, I had an idea for this story (like others) for a while, but only now I decide to force push it through. It started only as few notes, and during writing marathon it feel weird, but at last its done. I really tried to post it before the Version 7.0 will be officially launched. I actually forget the complex reason for what I wanted to write this story. But I think it was only "Columbina dint pick up her pay-check, so parent Traveler is questioned." In any way, I hope you liked this one.
By dretnoth 10.-12.8.2026 (0:12 Europe time)