GI Chapter 8: No Constellation?

“Witch…”

Orion had no other words to describe the young woman in a blue and black leotard with golden linings. She seemed to love stars as star-shaped clips hung at the end of her black twin tails, a star ornament in the center of her chest, numerous ones printed across her dress, and lastly, a tiny star in between her black choker. A crescent moon and star ornament also adorned her witch hat and her right thigh.

‘Sexy curves… but where is her bra?’

His sharp eyesight could see things on her dress that shouldn’t be seen. He shook off his dirty thoughts and frowned. From the flair of the girl’s intricate outfit, Orion knew the girl had to be a major character.

“Found you,” Mona whispered and summoned a hydro bubble. She stepped inside it, arriving behind Orion instantaneously. Her scryglass popped through bubbles and twirled like a clock hand. Mona touched her chin as her pale green eyes narrowed with a smug glint. “A junior wouldn’t be able to discern your identity. But I am Mona, the proud progenitor of the future of astrology. Nothing impedes my vision from discovering your true origin. You, who possess no Stella Fortuna in the depths of the stars, are a denizen of the other world.”

During the later part of her walk, Mona was convinced that the stars sent her in pursuit of the meteor rain. Now, it looked like there was another reason. A person whose fate wasn’t written in the stars. It had to be her destination.

“Kinda rude to say that to a stranger,” Orion said, maintaining his composure even though his cover was blown up. “Anyway, Mona, any street astrologist could read my fate in my world. It makes me question your ability as an astrologist.”

If that fortune turned out to be true was a different thing.

A quick use of the ‘Sentimental Ocean’ talent, and Orion had a solid idea of Mona’s emotions. Amusement, curiosity, and exhaustion were all Mona felt at the moment. All things considered, Mona wasn’t an enemy.

Mona swiped the scryglass away and folded her arms on her chest. “It’s my first time meeting a visitor outside of Teyvat. I shall learn to scry your fate in no time.”

“Good luck with that.”

Mona frowned at Orion’s void marks. “I find them repulsive… what are they exactly?”

“Why should I tell you?” Orion shrugged. “Give me one reason.”

As much as Orion wished to leave, Mona had become a loose thread who could reveal his identity.

Mona was used to people’s hostility created by her own extremely blunt nature. Putting her hands on her hips, she nodded. “The source of those marks is something darker than the night sky—gah! Your cat is biting me!”

Makoto had clasped Mona’s leg in her jaws. Mona froze, her smugness fading into obscurity. “Savage cat, stop or I’ll soak your shiny fur!”

She was never interested in animals since they had no constellations. Reading an animal’s fate was impossible even for the greatest astrologist.

Makoto released her grip hearing Mona’s threat and jumped in Orion’s arms. “What were you saying again?”

“I am—” Mona’s stomach growled, making her face redder than a tomato.

“You are Mona, and you are hungry.” Orion steered the talk away from his marks.

Mona pulled down her witch hat to cover her red face. “...I haven’t found an opportunity to eat breakfast.”

Orion chuckled and tossed a sunsettia fruit at her. “That’s what I ate for my breakfast.”

Mona held the fruit with astonishment in her eyes. Orion was being hostile a moment ago, refusing to answer any of her questions. Now he bestowed the greatest gift upon her.

“Eat up. I have more if you need.”

He had no storage to carry the fruits to the city. Besides, he was more into grilling fish than eating sweet fruits.

Mona couldn’t sense any lie in his words. He was giving her food without any ulterior motive.

“I’ll eat since you insist so much.” Mona dug into the fruit, which was tastier than the breakfast of mushroom and soup she had in mind.

Orion watched the astrologist devour the fruit. “Mona, are you broke by any chance?”

He had a reason to be surviving on fruits and such. The same didn’t apply to Mona. After all, she could read people’s fate and teleport instantaneously like a magician.

Mona nearly choked from Orion’s critical hit. “Mora matters not. Only by ridding oneself of material desires can one see the true world around them.”

“Isn’t that an excuse miserable people use to sleep every night?”

Orion used to do the same when he was struggling for money.

Mona received another critical hit. She coughed loudly. “No. One lives simply, all the better to expose this world's truths. Fancy feasts lead one to stray from the truth.”

“Another excuse,” Orion whispered.

The astrologist became immersed in eating and the newly ascended god didn’t notice a maid approaching from the Dawn Winery.

“Greetings, Sir Orion.”

Orion received quite a shock when a voice came from right behind him. He whirled around to a maid with shoulder-length blonde hair and bangs. She clasped her hands on her lap with a polite smile.

“I’m Adelinde, the head housemaid of Dawn Winery. Master Diluc sent me to fetch you for the ride to Mondstadt.”

Orion narrowed his eyes. Even his sharpened senses failed to catch the maid sneaking around.

‘Assassin maid.’

“Dawn Winery, the greatest wine industry in Teyvat, only second to Tianyuan of the Liyue in wealth,” Mona said as she licked sunsettia’s sweet flavor from her lips. “Your name is Orion?”

She was curious about Orion’s relationship with the Master of Dawn Winery. Usually, such questions would be answered through her hydromancy. However, the same hydromancy didn’t work on Orion.

“Yup.” Orion had no reason to hide his humble name. “Mona, it was a fun meeting. But I have to leave. Don’t disappoint me next time. I want to know my fate. Adelinde, let’s go.”

Orion turned around and followed Adelinde on the dirt road. He had already confirmed Mona wouldn’t cause trouble for him. She was too lost in her astrology to care about him and the universe beyond Teyvat.

“Wait.” Mona teleported to Orion’s side. “Is there some room in the carriage? I’m also headed to Mondstadt.”

She was tired of walking all night. She would die if she had to walk to Mondstadt in her current state. She also couldn’t let Orion go until she proved her astrology skills!

“Ask Adelinde.” Orion passed the responsibility to the maid.

Adelinde stopped in her tracks. “I will have to ask Master Diluc. I cannot make decisions on behalf of Master Diluc.”

“I’ll convince him,” Mona said with a nod.

“I can ask Fritz to escort you to Mondstadt. He goes out by noon.”

***

A refreshing scent of grapes and wine lingered in the air at the Dawn Winery. Two brunette maids were gossiping outside the Dawn Winery Mansion, and Diluc was talking to a white-haired butler.

“Good morning,” Diluc greeted Orion, a slight smile on his face. “Elzer.”

“Right away, Master Diluc.” The butler turned to Orion. “Sir Orion, please come with me. I have your clothes prepared.”

“Oh, lead the way.”

Orion left Makoto and followed the butler inside while wondering if Mona would succeed or fail. The eccentric astrologist couldn’t view his future, but she still was a formidable magician.

‘She is rather unreliable.’

A/N: - How is the story so far? I hope it's not bad...