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Dragonspine have always been menacingly cold, but it was indubitable that Snezhnaya is far colder than what the snowy mountain of Mondstadt has to offer. The setting of mountains blanketed in snow mismatches the evergreen that surrounds most of the moon city.
You were thankful for the waypoint located nearby Albedo’s lab, although the bridge heading towards it should really be fixed. No thanks to the Dragonspine’s merciless climate, people usually steer away to avoid succumbing to the freezing frost. Even the warming devices could only do so much. Warming bottle does the job for valiant adventurers, or even a Goulash could do the trick.
“Here to deliver Sucrose’s notes?” came the alchemist’s voice. He was focused on the task at hand. It was another experiment of sorts and at the edge of the table was a pile of notes. You wondered what he was up to this time around.
“How’d you know it’s me?” you laughed, approaching the man and gently placing the book on top of an emptier table. The sketch of a Frostarm Lawachurl is incomplete, left unattended at one corner of the lab. You’ve always seen Albedo working wonders on empty pieces of paper; drawings of Hilichurls, Fatui agents, Geovishaps, slimes…you name it. Yet…none of them were ever drawn to completion.
“I’ve learnt to recognize your footsteps” he answered. As if it were a simple task to distinguish footsteps. Footsteps in snow, especially! The alchemist has a propensity to change his attention—from one thing to another. The conversation of your footsteps for example, quickly changed to another topic.
“I remember, you seem to really love my drawings” he turned to face you. The striking colour of skies weighing heavy against your form. A nervous chuckle left your lips.
“Of course. The drawings are beautiful” Albedo shook his head, picking up the sketchbook and flipped through the pages.
“No, they’re not. Although, beauty is not a problem. It is the essence that matters”
“Well…we’re our own worst critics” you smiled, tilting to see the current page of the sketchbook. It was a drawing of the Frostbearing Tree; that much you can tell despite only being partway complete. Will he ever complete one? It was something you look forward to. Albedo silently agreed to your statement and put the sketchbook aside.
“Thank you, (y/n). It must’ve been difficult for you to travel to Dragonspine”
“No! Not at all! I find the scenery beautiful!” he rose a brow. Kreideprinz tilted sideways, giving you a querying look with Sucrose’s notes firmly held in his hands. You absolutely had to explain yourself because Albedo had found himself interested. As far as he’s concerned, very little people admire the Dragonspine landscape. Why and how did you find the scenery beautiful?
“It’s a nice change of view…” you rubbed the back of your neck in embarrassment while those teal eyes observed you. “It is a little cold and distant…but there’s beauty in the field of snow. Something interesting underneath…and the skies” Albedo looked up as you continued, “The sublime colour hovering over the mountains. It makes you think what sort of mystery it holds” now, you’re not quite sure what you’re talking about anymore. Dragonspine, or Albedo?
A rare chuckle left the alchemist, and you were lucky to have heard it. “Well then…you wouldn’t mind accompanying me, then?” what an invitation. It’s unfair that Albedo barely did anything, yet your heart was racing miles a second.
“Sure”
*
“You’re a little late” Sucrose noted; her ears twitching every now and then as she was working on a new solution.
“Yeah. Albedo asked me to stay” you hung the thick coat over the stand and approached the harmless sweetie. Sucrose was in a different world, squinting her eyes as she held two test tubes together while carefully pouring a droplet from one tube to another. The sudden puff of pink had you coughing and fanning the smoke away.
“You could’ve used a dropper, you know…” you said between coughs, blindly reaching out to another table in search for the object and passing it to the junior alchemist. She had to take out her glasses and clean them up, muttering a quick apology before rushing off to the nearest sink.
“Ehe—sometimes I get excited with these experiments” Sucrose stuttered on her words, cleaning her glasses from the pink powder before wiping it dry. You were glad for their guidance. Alchemy is a complicated form of art, and the laws must be followed, otherwise, bad things will happen. There were quite a number of people wanting to join the alchemical endeavours, yet Albedo had turned them down. In his own words, they were simply…uninteresting. You have accidentally met the Kreideprinz himself while you were busy exchanging items on a parametric transformer, and it somehow caught his attention.
Although, without you knowing, Albedo found you somewhat riveting…despite having almost no knowledge on how to deal with a parametric transformer, he found it fascinating that you kept working on it. You were driven to find answers, and Albedo was more than ready to provide. A simple question, “Would you like to learn alchemy?” became something like a saving grace.
*
Sometimes, you wished you were a Samachurl. Other times, a firefly…or even a Geovishap. It wasn’t because you wish to be able to summon an elemental attack while swinging a staff, or flying around and glowing at dusk, or roll around smashing the ground. Was it wrong that you hoped to become the subject of which Albedo’s currently showering his attention to? Perhaps someday, at the charcoal tip of his pencil, drawn across the piece of paper would be your image.
“(y/n), a little to the left” his voice was a slightly faint due to the distance. Albedo had set up an easel and was ready to draw. His subject: cryo slimes. What better place can you find cryo slimes other than Dragonspine? You, on the other hand, was tasked to lure the slimes out by placing bait at a certain location. The alchemist was quick to assuage your anxieties when you were a little reluctant, weighing the risks of possibly being attacked.
“Don’t worry. They are quite benevolent creatures” you were easily convinced and went on with what you were told to do.
You couldn’t see it quite well, but Albedo was already working on his sketches. His hand working wonders on an empty canvas, the image gradually taking its form. It was a piece Kreideprinz wished to complete to perfection.
*
“Are you…sure?” the weigh of a book never felt heavier. Hilichurl Cultural Customs and a few notes from Ella Musk. Your gut fell into the depths of the abyss when Albedo nodded. You had wanted to watch him as he worked on his art, yet somehow, he’s giving you ridiculous errands. This time was to approach a lone Hilichurl and strike a conversation with them.
“It’ll be an interesting and important cultural exchange” subject: Hilichurl. You’ve never thought that you’d end up dancing with a Hilichurl as they happily chant their song. At the end of the exchange, you were gifted with a wonderfully crafted arrowhead from the Hilichurl.
Teal orbs kept watch as he worked on the drawing. The piece will take some time to complete, but Albedo was willing to commit. Unlike most of the things, this somehow managed to hold his attention for quite a while.
*
“I see you love sweet things” you commented upon passing Albedo a Tea Break Pancake takeaway from Good Hunter’s.
“Love?” you could’ve mistaken his response as a sign of disdain at the mention of the word. Albedo shook his head in dismissal, “I am fond of the sweetness. Sugar helps me with thinking” you could’ve ignored your curiosity, but you didn’t.
“Do you ever feel love?” he paused for a moment before eating a forkful of pancake glazed with sweet flower syrup. Even the way he ate was elegant, chewing an adequate number of times before swallowing.
“Humans have six basic emotions…” Albedo started.
“Fear. Anger. Happiness. Sadness. Surprise. Disgust” each emotion was counted with his fingers.
“Now that I’ve listed it out, you realize that love isn’t one of them?” the alchemist questioned, once again cutting a small portion of pancake for him to consume.
Your mouth twitched. Was the jam of the Mondstadt Hash Brown too sweet? No…that isn’t it. You decided to prod further.
“What do you mean?” a few more chews, another bite of the pancake, chewing again before Albedo replied. Guess he’ll be needing all the sugar he needs before answering your question.
“Considering how love isn’t one of the basic emotions, I come to the conclusion that such emotion is unnecessary” your jaw slightly hung open as Albedo explained in detail. “Tea Break Pancake is sweet. I am happy to have it. Isn’t happy enough of an emotion to express the contentment?” maybe the alchemist is right. But why did you feel hurt at his clarification? Was it because you love him…and that he wouldn’t love you back? Will happy be enough?
Not wanting to allow your emotions to take a plunge, you decided to return to the Moon City. “It’s getting dark. I need to head back” you laughed mirthlessly and hoping Albedo didn’t notice it. He did.
The alchemist bid you a safe journey, his gaze not meeting yours even once. Albedo frowned at your absence. He could still feel your presence lingering around his lab. His attention shifted to the canvas, its edge sticking out from his backpack. Kreideprinz’s hands balled into a fist; tightening and loosening it a few more times as he registered an unfamiliar emotion that took its place in his heart.
Anger and sadness. Desolate. Albedo is desolate when you left.
*
You weren’t your usual talkative self on the following day as you trekked with Albedo, walking by the riverbank separating the lush green and white snow of Mondstadt. The alchemist himself was dealing with emotions he couldn’t quite understand which became a cause for his disturbance. Perhaps continuing his drawing would help.
“Further down. You can do it” Albedo stated, pointing further down the path ahead as he set the easel atop a rock which he could stand on while observing. You wondered what lies along the road and your blood ran cold at the sight of a Frostarm Lawachurl hanging out by the river. Is…Albedo…serious!?
“Olah! (Hello)” you jolted at the greeting of a distant Hilichurl. It quickly approached you and waved. Apparently, it was the same Hilichurl that you had danced with from back then.
“Olah” you reluctantly greeted, albeit scared at the sight of the monstrous churl turning its attention to you. You couldn’t bring your legs to work, frozen in place when the Lawachurl stood up and walked towards you. It huffed, blowing cold air towards your face and mumbled something. It took you a while to understand that it was greeting you as well.
“Odomu? (Friend?)” it gestured, one finger pointing towards you. One finger enough to crush your head with. The smaller friend nodded, repeating the word, “Odomu!” Before you even know it, you were sitting with them as they roasted pieces of frozen boar meat over an open fire.
“Mosi mita (Eat meat)” the Lawachurl spoke, handing you a piece of skewered meat. The stick looked miniscule in its massive hand. “Valo (thanks)” you smiled and ate with them.
In the distance, Albedo was working on his drawing. It didn’t matter that his fingertips were dirtied by the charcoal, as long as he could complete it. Just a little more, add a bit more colour and it’ll be complete in no time.
*
“I have to say, they are good at seasoning meat!” you chuckled, patting on your full stomach. The sound of your laughter was musical to Albedo’s ears, it made him wonder if it was on par with the legendary tune of Barbatos’ lyre? If Kreideprinz were to choose, he’d choose the sound of your joy. A warm feeling settled in the alchemist’s heart. Is it possible to feel a greater extent of happiness?
The state of extreme happiness. Elated. Albedo is elated.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it” a small curl graced his lips as he walked ahead of you. You saw the expression of delight, yet you couldn’t believe your eyes and decided to brush it off. There’s no place for love in Albedo’s heart, so you decided that whatever you have right now is enough.
*
Apparently, Albedo had kept notes of your interaction with Hilichurls which gained attention from the ever-curious Ella Musk. Off you went, visiting the Hilichurl camps scattered across Dragonspine, making more friends with them. Language was a barrier that you were slowly overcoming, and they were more than happy to accommodate a willing friend.
Kreideprinz accompanied you the whole time, and the curious churls asked you to bring him along. Albedo was more comfortable being an observer, so when he was dragged into the camp, he couldn’t hide the frown. It elicited a jovial laugh out of you, and the Hilichurls happily joined in despite not knowing what the cause was.
Sky orbs widened as it kept watch, chuckling quietly to himself at the sight of your wide smile despite being surrounded by so-called foes. Everyone should become more like you, Albedo thought. Any creature will become hostile when threatened, even Hilichurls. Perhaps someday, peace between the people across Teyvat and Hilichurls can be established. This is the first step.
“Valooo (goodbye)!!!” the Hilichurls cheered, waving goodbye as the two of you departed. It was funny when the Lawachurl joined in dancing. The ground trembled at every stomp of its foot, causing its friends to lose footing as they danced. Amongst the dancing Hilichurls, Albedo was seated at the corner for most, diligently working on the piece of art which you desperately want to see.
The both of you took the longer route to Albedo’s lab; you wanting to mine a few starsilvers as requested by Wagner. You urged the alchemist to leave should he had anything important to do, yet he stayed—even helping you mining a few starsilvers. His Geo vision really helped you to mine faster.
Along the curve ahead, there’s an inactive ruin guard. Albedo sketched it once, and you even placed a few flowers atop the machine’s head as decoration. It was to his dismay, having you to add the bloom. He had to erase some parts to include the sudden addition. The both of you went on, and the garbled noise was a definite cause of surprise. Shouldn’t the machine be inactive?
Albedo instinctively pushed you aside when the ruin guard was about to stomp the both of you. You were certain you had screamed, but the howling winds of Dragonspine had robbed your cries of help. Kreideprinz took advantage of the ruin guard’s attention, leading the machine away from you, but you couldn’t let him handle it alone. The path was too small to fight a ruin guard and Albedo was bringing it to a bigger space, giving the alchemist more space to move. However, the red crosshair aimed at the male wasn’t good news. Before Kreideprinz was even able to avoid it, a surge of missiles was fired in his direction.
“ALBEDO!!!” you screamed at the sound of the explosion. Just then, the ruin guard turned to face you. No, no, noo! You desperately picked up whatever you could and flung it towards the machine. Its arms elongated, and it began spinning, slowly at first before finally picking up speed, and was heading your direction. There was no way you could avoid it.
A loud roar pierced through the howling winds. A Frostarm Lawachurl came into view, thumping against its chest, creating a cryo infused armour before charging towards the ruin guard.
“Odomu! Odomu! (Friend! Friend!)” two Hilichurls came to your aid, pulling you away from the current battle.
“Albedo!” you said urgently. They nodded, stating that the shaman had brought him in after the guard turned its attention to you. You were brought to the nearest camp, and the sight of Albedo broke your heart. He looked paler than usual, lips in a bluish hue and eyes screwed shut.
“Is he okay!?” you pushed past them, placing a hand over his. Tears began falling uncontrollably, unsure of what to do. The Hilichurls were solemn, not carrying their usual noisiness and it could only mean one thing.
Love is a strange emotion. It wasn’t a necessity as Albedo had said, but it transcends logic. Love pushes a person one step further; love becomes the will for creatures to make choices; choices to sacrifice. Perhaps it is a good thing that love isn’t one of the basic emotions because it is a cruel mistress. Love almost never comes alone, bringing its complicated friends along to poison a heart with its complexities. But you were glad for loving Albedo, otherwise you wouldn’t have made the choice.
*
“Tiga odomu! Kundala! (Geo friend! Alive!)” the Samachurl announced, and within seconds, a group of Hilichurls huddled around the chief alchemist to make sure he was alright.
“Where is…(y/n)?” he gestured, and the creatures exchanged glances with each other before standing aside to reveal a lying figure across the hut. Still, peacefully lying as if asleep…although the alchemist knows that it wasn’t the case at all. She was too still…lifeless even. Lifeless…
Albedo understood the meaning of the tears. It meant sadness, but the heart-wrenching feeling was almost unbearable. It was a state of utmost sadness. Melancholy. How was the alchemist able to experience such feelings? Had he learnt other emotions without him realizing it?
The alchemist is not widely known to show affections, and when he finally did, it was towards (y/n)’s lifeless body. As far as he’s concerned, she was supposed to be safe from the ruin guard, having remembered the missiles launched towards him. She couldn’t have died unless…in the laws of alchemy, it was an equivalent exchange. And in this case; a life for a life. Have you traded your life in exchange for his? Your silence was his answer.
*
“That’s a lovely portrait of her, Albedo” Jean complimented, admiring the art placed at the entrance of the Favonius Church. Who would’ve thought… Just when Albedo decided to complete an art, she was already gone, robbed of the chance to ever see the drawing he made of her.
“I’m sorry to hear…” Barbara expressed her condolences, head hung low in sorrow. The alchemist nodded and walked away, unable to bear the heaviness in his chest any longer. He left, in hopes that it’ll dissipate the further he goes. But it never did. Ever since then, Kreideprinz have always locked himself away in the lab, more often than he used to, in the cold embrace of Dragonspine.
Humans have 6 basic emotions. Love isn’t one of them, but Albedo is sure he had experienced the cruel mistress and its complexities.