Losing a book sounded downright terrifying to Stelle.
After spending time with Lisa, she could tell the librarian treasured every single volume.
Stelle even suspected that, to Lisa, books outranked people.
So when Miss Donna admitted she'd lost the book, Stelle's heart skipped a beat; she glanced cautiously at Lisa, racking her brain for a way to save Donna.
Yet Lisa remained far calmer than Stelle had feared.
The reason? "I've placed elemental marks on every book; whoever takes one leaves traces."
With that, Lisa led Stelle along the elemental trail out of the city.
They were supposed to be on a date; ideally, Lisa didn't want work intruding today.
Retrieving the book had merely been a convenient afterthought—had the chance not arisen, she wouldn't have bothered.
But theft was another matter; the book had to be reclaimed at once, so, resigned, Lisa redirected their date.
Fortunately, Stelle didn't mind in the least.
"Who would steal a book and come to a place like this?" Stelle panted, eyeing the narrow mountain crevice ahead.
Barely wide enough for a person, yet it seemed to hide a world within; purple light bloomed across the rocks outside.
"Feels like the handiwork of those unlovable troublemakers," Lisa drawled, arms folded languidly.
"Uh… you mean the Abyss Order?" Stelle quickly guessed.
"Mmm… my, we do think alike." Lisa smiled, liking Stelle more by the second.
"They're elusive. See the purple glow at the entrance? That's classic Abyss residue—odds are high it's them."
"Got it… then I'll bust it open!" Stelle whipped out her bat, raring to go.
A seal like this was child's play to her.
"Hold on, Little Cutie—let's not make a racket. Leave it to big sister." Lisa raised a hand to stop her.
Her method would be slower but wouldn't alert the enemy.
Besides, such a seal was mere child's play to a once-in-two-centuries genius like Lisa.
She simply stretched out her hand; crackling lightning surged forth and shattered the purple glow barring the fissure.
It was Stelle's first time seeing Lisa fight; her electro power differed starkly from Fischl's.
So the title *Witch of Roses* wasn't mere hype.
"All right, let's head inside."
"Mm." Stelle nodded, and the two entered the ruins together.
Stelle had explored several Mondstadt ruins before—chasing Treasure Hoarders with Amber and arresting Eula's uncle—but this one felt entirely different.
Not only was it vast, wind currents swirled everywhere.
Still, spaciousness had its perks: no need to hunt for paths—just glide over, simple as that.
"Lisa, did you bring a Wind Glider?" Stelle asked, turning to her.
"And if I said no—would you carry me across, little sister?" Lisa teased, eyes sparkling.
"I'm not super confident yet, but if you don't mind, I'm game." Stelle scratched her head with a grin.
"Then… I'll leave myself in your hands, Little Cutie." After a pause, Lisa nodded.
She could cross without a glider if need be.
Of course she'd brought one; though she rarely went out, a compact Wind Glider was no burden.
Yet the offer intrigued her, and she yielded to whim.
"Then… pardon me." Stelle stepped close, scooped Lisa into a bridal carry.
Lisa's figure was no longer girlish, yet she was still shorter—and surprisingly light—so lifting her was effortless.
She weighed so little that Stelle barely felt it.
"Off we go." Stelle inhaled; Lisa smelled of roses—was it her scent or the Bloom Stelle had gifted?
She didn't dwell on it; spotting the wind current, she leapt with Lisa in her arms.
The currents were irregular and the distance long, but Stelle was no rookie anymore.
Even cradling Lisa, she soared as nimbly as a bird.
In moments they arrived at their destination.
"Mm, Little Cutie's embrace really is warm… I almost don't want to leave." Lisa's head rested against Stelle's chest, her voice barely above a whisper.
Still, even as she spoke, Lisa quickly slipped from Stelle's arms. Standing, she resettled her hat, tugging it low to hide her cheeks.
"Hugging Lisa feels great too—so fragrant…" Stelle rubbed the back of her head, the words slipping out.
She'd truly blurted it out, but once said she wouldn't take it back.
"Little Cutie's getting bold, teasing big sister." Lisa turned, her usual languid, alluring smile back in place, emotions neatly tucked away.
Yet the look she gave Stelle now was different—her desire no longer hidden.
A faint flush still lingered on her face, barely noticeable.
"I—I was just telling the truth…" Stelle answered, cheeks warming.
Lisa's gaze looked ready to devour her.
"All right, Little Cutie, let's finish our business. It's late; once we're back in Mondstadt I'll treat you to dinner."
Usually a dinner date signals the end, though many couples keep the 'date' going afterward.
For Lisa and Stelle, dinner would only be the start of tonight's next 'outing'.
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