Morning sunlight streamed through Mondstadt's narrow alleys, casting golden streaks across the cobblestone paths as a crisp breeze swirled down from the cliffs, rustling the dandelions that clung to the city's ancient walls, their delicate seeds drifting like tiny lanterns in the dawn glow. Galehaven Comics stood nestled in its quiet nook, its weathered sign swaying gently, its wooden facade a warm beacon amid the waking bustle, the scent of aged paper and faint traces of fried dumplings curling from its open door into the crisp air.
Harlan Flint leaned against the counter, his dark jacket slung over a chair, his hazel eyes glinting with a shopkeeper's quiet satisfaction as he surveyed the bustling shop, its shelves alive with eager hands. Three passersby stood near the center, their comics finished, their faces alight with anticipation as a hum filled the air, a signal of the system's whims about to unfold.
Light erupted, three brilliant beams piercing the ceiling, bathing the trio in radiant hues, their gasps a chorus as the glow faded, leaving gifts in their grasp. A notebook thick with scribbles, an eyepatch sleek and dark, a plate of steaming fried dumplings, each reward a spark of Galehaven's magic, their eyes wide with wonder.
"What's this haul?" one stammered, his voice trembling, his hands clutching the dumplings as the others stared, puzzled yet thrilled. Harlan grinned, "Sakura's workbook, Liuhua's eyepatch, Little Master's fried dumplings," he explained, his tone calm, his hazel eyes glinting at their mixed fortunes.
The dumpling bearer lifted the lid, a golden flash spilling forth, its buttery aroma flooding the shop, a wave of richness that drowned the scent of ink and wood. Klee perked up, "Smells yummy!" she chirped, her crimson eyes gleaming, her Yu-Gi-Oh cards forgotten as drool pooled at her tiny lips.
"Tasty regret," Klee muttered, her red hat tilting as she pouted, "Should've picked Little Master." Her mind whirred, "Next time, food comics, free bites!" she schemed, her giggle a spark of mischief, her cleverness a flame Harlan caught with a smirk.
Diluc straightened, his red coat stark against the sofa, his amber eyes narrowing as he inhaled, "Better than Liyue's finest." His voice held awe, his travels across Teyvat paling before this dish, Sarah's golden rice a memory he'd chase at noon, a plan forming in his steely mind.
The Lady shifted, her crimson dress pooling like blood, her icy blue eyes glinting with hunger, "Fit for the Dark Flame's altar," she murmured. She restrained herself, "Not here," she thought, her Fatui guile plotting, "My men will snag it soon," her grin sly beneath her reverent mask.
"Thanks, boss!" the dumpling man blurted, his voice a rush as he bolted, the crowd's covetous stares a whip at his heels. "Hey, share it!" his friends yelled, snatching their own rewards, workbook and eyepatch flapping as they chased, their boots pounding the floor in a frantic scramble.
Lei Ying Warlocks surged, "Food comics!" one cried, her dark robes swirling as she lunged for Little Master, "Mine!" another snapped, her hand snagging it first. "Trade for snacks!" a third begged, their squabble a storm, the Lady's cough a sharp rein, her icy gaze flicking to Harlan, relief blooming as he ignored them.
"My haul's secure," the Lady thought, her lips curling, "They'll surrender it or taste black flames," her authority a shadow over their greed. Harlan watched, his hazel eyes dancing, "Chaos pays," he mused, his grin widening, the shop's hum a currency he'd spend with glee.
Footsteps echoed outside, Venti bursting in, his green cape fluttering, his Anemo Vision pulsing as he waved, "Boss, I'm back!" The Maine Coonmon padded behind, its amber eyes glinting, Noelle stepping shyly at his side, her gray dress crisp, her brown hair tied back, her Geo Vision a quiet glow at her waist.
"Square's buzzing, crowd's coming," Venti chirped, his lyre slung over his back, "Brought Noelle too!" He nudged her, "New blood," he grinned, his voice a spark, Harlan's brow lifting as he spotted Mondstadt's maid, a gift he hadn't dared hope for.
"Hello, Boss Harlan," Noelle said, her voice soft, her green eyes shy as she bowed, 100,000 Mora clinking in her hand. Harlan blinked, "Noelle, here?" he thought, his hazel eyes lighting up, "Perfect maid material," his heart leaping at Venti's unwitting triumph.
"Doraemon yet?" Venti asked, his grin sly, his dream of a Gourmet Tablecloth a daily chant he'd not abandon. "Not yet," Harlan replied, "More guests, maybe soon," his voice a tease, the morning's rush a promise he'd leverage with flair.
"Look, new guest!" Venti sidestepped, revealing Noelle, her apron smoothing under nervous fingers, her presence a balm to Harlan's maid-hunting woes. "Welcome," Harlan said, "Books there," he pointed, his hazel eyes glinting, "Venti, you've outdone yourself," he thought, Barbatos a bard worth praising today.
Noelle nodded, "Heard it's special," she murmured, her green eyes wide as she drifted to the shelves, Little Master calling after the dumpling's scent. She sank onto a sofa, "Cooking power," she mused, its pages rustling, her Geo soul stirring with a maid's dream to serve better.
The door banged open, Amber bursting in, "Harlan, trouble!" Her red bow bounced, her green eyes wild, her Pyro Vision flaring with alarm. "Comic spill, kitchen chaos!" she gasped, her voice sharp, Little Master's flair breaking free, a glitch he'd face with grit.
"Food fight?" Harlan asked, his grin fading, his jacket slipping on as he moved, Venti perking up, "Tasty trouble!" Amber nodded, "Dumplings alive, square's a mess!" she panted, her scout's calm lost, a culinary storm he'd tame.
"Let's cook it out!" Venti cheered, his green cape swirling, his Anemo Vision glowing as he dashed out, Noelle rising, "I'll aid," she said, her Geo shield flaring. Harlan led, "Contain it!" he barked, his hazel eyes sharp, Klee trailing, "Yummy blast time!" her red hat bouncing, her bombs a gleam he'd curb.
They hit the square, golden dumplings bouncing wild, their wrappers splitting, their filling a sizzling rain that scorched stalls, townsfolk dodging with shrieks. Venti spun, "Wind scoop!" he shouted, a gust corralling them, his lyre's notes a net against the chaos, his grin wide with thrill.
Harlan dodged, "Heat's the key!" he yelled, his super chef mind racing, "Cool them down!" Amber fired, "Flame wall!" her arrow blazing, a barrier rising to herd them, their sizzle faltering under her Pyro touch.
Noelle charged, "Geo press!" she cried, her shield slamming, rocks pinning a dumpling, its golden glow dimming as she held firm. "Teamwork!" Venti laughed, his wind swirling, Harlan snagging a barrel, "Water finish!" he roared, splashing them, steam hissing as they shrank to soggy lumps.
The dumplings stilled, their chaos quelled, Venti's gust, Amber's fire, Noelle's stone a perfect dance, the crowd cheering, "Saved again!" Harlan panted, "System hiccup, sorted," he grinned, his hazel eyes glinting, a lie to mask the thrill.
Noelle dusted her hands, "Stronger now," she beamed, her green eyes bright, her gray dress smudged, her maid's heart proud beyond chores. Venti bowed, "Lunch earned!" he chirped, his green cape fluttering, Harlan's chuckle soft, "You've paid, bard," he said, Klee pouting, "No boom, still fun," she giggled.
Back at Galehaven, Venti lounged, "Food soon?" he teased, his grin sly, Harlan nodding, "Noon's feast," he promised, his hazel eyes warm. Noelle sat, Little Master open, "Skills to learn," she murmured, her Geo soul alight, Mondstadt's day ablaze with ink and valor, Venti's deed a win for all.
***
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