"Ah? Just a walk?"
Noelle tilted her head uncertainly. Her emerald-like eyes fixed on Bonanus, as if hoping she would ask for something more.
Seeing those eyes that seemed to say, "Please give me more requests," Bonanus smiled helplessly. Noelle was too enthusiastic—she never knew how to give herself a break.
"I don't really need help with anything. I'm bored, so you can keep me company. Besides, I'd like to make a new friend."
Bonanus smiled sweetly as she spoke, extending her slender hand in an inviting gesture toward the trainee knight.
This way, she could both befriend the strong knight Noelle and give her a chance to step away from her endless tasks and get some rest. Two birds with one stone!
"I understand! Leave it to me!" Noelle nodded gently, pressing a hand to her chest in acknowledgment.
"It's nice to meet you, my friend in Mondstadt. Let's go!" Having received a response, Bonanus stepped forward and linked her arm through Noelle's—direct and without hesitation.
Her reasoning was simple: since they were now friends, such gestures were perfectly natural. Besides, she really wanted to feel the muscles on Noelle's arm.
It was curiosity. Noelle's strength was well known, yet in the game she had looked so slender. This would satisfy that curiosity.
Noelle, caught off guard by Bonanus's action, blushed deeply. Her whole body froze. She didn't know what to do next or what to say.
It was the first time she had been so intimate with a stranger...
Truth be told, Noelle simply wasn't good at handling this kind of situation.
"I'm glad to... Miss Fashui, may I ask... what does this gesture mean...?"
Noelle asked, her face red, genuinely puzzled. She knew about linking arms, but that was for close friends!
Was this how people from Liyue expressed friendliness? Noelle wasn't sure.
"It doesn't mean anything special. Since we're friends now, let's be more relaxed. And stop calling me 'Miss.' Just use my name." Bonanus smiled back.
"Ah? O-okay! I'm still not very mature! There's a lot I don't understand. I hope you'll be patient with me!" Noelle nodded slightly. So friends did things like this!
She was learning so much from this Miss Fashui! She would have to ask for more advice when she had time.
And she would have to do it soon, before this lady left.
No sooner had she thought this than Bonanus tugged her down the street. The two walked quietly through the streets of Mondstadt.
Having Noelle by her side certainly gave a strong sense of security.
"Miss Fashui, where are we going? If you'd like, I can arrange an itinerary. I'm very good at that!"
Noelle took a deep breath, adjusted her flustered demeanor, and offered a gentle smile.
Hearing this, Bonanus rubbed her chin. Aside from shopping, she didn't really have anything specific in mind today.
But dragging Noelle around shopping felt a bit off. She had wanted to help Noelle relax—she shouldn't exhaust her with a spending spree.
Not that Noelle would likely get tired from something so trivial...
"How about we grab something to eat? Do you know any good restaurants, Noelle?" Bonanus asked, rubbing her chin curiously.
Hearing the question, Noelle's eyes lit up. This she knew! The Satisfying Salad at Good Hunter Restaurant was delicious!
"Please follow me. I know a restaurant with excellent food." Noelle said seriously, and immediately began leading the way.
Perhaps she could take Bonanus to Good Hunter. She wondered if Miss Fashui would enjoy Mondstadt's cuisine.
If not, Noelle would consider learning some Liyue dishes. If that didn't work, she could even go all the way to Liyue Harbor to buy dishes.
It would take a long time, and the food wouldn't be fresh, but perhaps she could find a way to preserve it.
A Mist Flower corolla might work.
Noelle drifted into her own thoughts. Bonanus noticed this. What was Noelle thinking about?
She was just like Xiao! Getting lost in their own head while walking. Really... not a good habit!
"What are you thinking about, Noelle?" Bonanus gently patted her arm.
"Ah? Sorry! I was just worried that you might not like Mondstadt's food, since you're from Liyue." Noelle said sheepishly.
"I told you, don't call me 'Miss.' It sounds so distant. We're friends now. Just say my name." Bonanus chuckled.
"And don't worry about whether the food suits me. I'm not picky. I can eat anything!" Bonanus patted her stomach, indicating it could hold anything.
Hearing this, Noelle nodded slightly. That was good to know.
A few minutes later...
After a few twists and turns, with Noelle leading the way, Bonanus easily arrived at Good Hunter Restaurant. Just like in the game, there were tables both inside and outside for customers.
"This is the place. Fashui... Fashui!"
Noelle almost said "Miss," but remembered what Bonanus had said. Since they were friends, she shouldn't be so formal.
So she swallowed the word and opted to call her by name directly.
It was funny. She had come today to help Bonanus, and somehow they had become friends. She felt a bit at a loss.
"Okay, let's go!" Looking at the familiar Good Hunter, Bonanus was flooded with memories, thinking of one person in particular.
That person was the Outrider Amber—a very enthusiastic and fiery girl.
Wait, what was with that sigh? Amber wasn't dead! She shouldn't be cursing her!
This was mealtime, and many people had come to Good Hunter. It looked a bit crowded, but everyone maintained proper order.
Despite the crowd, Bonanus and Noelle were lucky enough to find an empty table. Quite fortunate—such opportunities were rare!
This was a great spot. It felt like being on a date with Noelle. Very pleasant.
Xiao: Have you considered my feelings?
"Please wait here a moment. I'll place the order. Is there anything you'd like to eat?" Noelle stood up, tilting her head with a gentle smile.
"I prefer vegetarian dishes, though I don't turn down meat." Bonanus replied. She had been eating mostly vegetarian in Liyue and had gotten used to it.
"Okay. I'll be right back." Noelle nodded slightly and headed toward the Good Hunter counter.
Along the way, Mondstadt residents greeted Noelle, and she responded politely, maintaining her usual smile.
"Noelle is so popular. I hope these people don't ask her to do anything troublesome."
Bonanus muttered to herself. She propped her chin on her hand lazily, watching Noelle wait in line, fidgeting with her fingers as she looked forward to Mondstadt's cuisine.
From a dark corner somewhere out of sight, an adult male with dark skin and an eyepatch over his right eye watched her quietly.
His presence was so well hidden that even Bonanus, a guardian Yaksha, did not notice him.