Mika

Timeline

Trigger Warnings: Death, Worsening Medical Condition, Spinal Cord Injury

Trigger Warnings: None

The tavern was filled with lively music, chattering patrons, and cheerful dancing. It was exactly the kind of place Mika loved to spend the night after a long day of travel. The happy patrons and upbeat atmosphere eased her mind as she sipped her wine. Taking up a whole booth to herself, she stretched out over the long bench, her fluffy tail laid across her lap to keep warm as she watched.Most nights she remained in the background, slinking into some dark corner only to be seen by the bartender. These days she wasn’t much for the spotlight.That didn’t stop the occasional patron from spotting her. A young man, baby faced and flushed from ale paused by her booth. His smile was carefree and eyes bright. Though they must have been around the same age, he looked so young to Mika. “Hey, you should come dance!”Mika smiled over the edge of her wine glass, politely shaking her head. “I don’t dance much anymore.”“Come on, no one is gonna judge you for havin’ two left feet. Join the fun.” He offered his hand, charming smile, sugary sweet voice. Tempting. But Mika was tired from a long journey.“Go ask that girl by the door. She’s been staring at you all night.” Mika watched as his head craned around, spotting the shy wallflower nearing the exit. Briefly he looked back towards Mika, assessing her, considering his options. A knowing smile. He could tell Mika wouldn’t budge.She spent the next hour watching the pair dance, smiling and laughing as they spun around the tavern. A happy ending and a peaceful night left to her own thoughts.

• Character Stories

Trigger Warnings: Spinal Cord Injury, Hospital, Implied Death, Sedation

"Where is my brother?" Mika's voice was hoarse. The room around her was a blur, bright lights overhead and several people moving around her. They poked and prodded but she hardly noticed with her pounding headache and aching throat. Her chest hurt, her arms hurt, her legs…"Why can't I move?" Another weak cry. The woman next to her – a nurse it seemed – stilled in response. Mika's vision slowly cleared until she finally saw the woman's expression. Guilt. Horror. Resignation. Mika's stomach dropped. "What's happening?" Tears welled up in her eyes. She didn’t bother asking for her father. He would just complain she was too old to be crying.That's right. It was her birthday, wasn't it? Lucien had taken her horseback riding up near Stormbearer Mountains. They were following the river, exploring the area…The nurse placed a gentle hand on Mika's shoulder as the girl began to sob. You're going to be okay, she said. You're safe now. But none of it registered. Mika wailed until they eventually had to sedate her. She needed more healing… and then they would try to wake her again.

• Character Stories

Trigger Warnings: Blood Mention, Minor Cut, Absent Parent

Another broken toy. How many was that this week? Three? Four? Mika couldn’t remember. Most days felt like a blur to her. The monotony of being left alone in her room for hours and hours and hours. The maids rarely came to check on her anymore. Another quit yesterday. A shame, Mika liked the perfume that one wore.The door to her bedroom creaked open. She turned to see the kind face of Juliet, a new maid to the house. She probably wouldn’t last long. They never did.“You broke your doll.” Juliet slowly came closer to Mika, carrying a tray of food. Her lunch. Stepping over the shattered porcelain doll and slowly lowering herself to the floor next to Mika. The other maids never came this close, too scared of Mika’s outbursts. The little girl, no older than five, watched Juliet with wide golden eyes. Silence.Juliet examined the room with an impartial expression. Feathers floated around from the pillows Mika had ripped open. Deep gouge marks in the stone wall and wooden floors from past tantrums. Broken toys and ruined furniture and splatters of blood from where she had cut her hand on the broken porcelain. “Let me see.”Mika examined Juliet's outstretched hand. Patient. Unlike many of the other adults in Mika’s life, Juliet didn’t try to grab her. She waited for Mika, staring at her small cut rather than into her eyes.Slowly Mika placed her hand into Juliet’s. Tiny claws and bloody fingers. But so small. Suddenly, Mika felt very tiny, yet it did not scare her. As Juliet bandaged her cut and placed a small kiss on the back of her hand, Mika felt safe.

• Character Stories

Trigger Warnings: Death, Funeral, Murder

The steps in front of the Favonius Cathedral were empty due to the gathering storm clouds, save for one lone person. Mika sat out front after finishing her father’s funeral. It had been rather quick, considering she had been the only one to attend. No family left to see him off and after the investigation done by the knights...Her father's sudden death had sparked suspicion. Despite his longstanding heart condition, he had been managing it without issues for several years now. The investigation into his death had raised several questions–not about the cause of his death, but rather, about her father's actions within the Knights of Favonius. It seemed the honorable Knight Myrddin hadn't been as clean as he portrayed himself. At least, that was the rumor on the streets with no official statement made by the Knights of Favonius so far.Of course, no one was looking Mika’s way. Why would they? She was just the unfortunate Myrddin daughter. The only thing that had made her noteworthy was her dancing skills, and she hadn’t been back to the Zubayr Theater since her accident. Even her Valuka Shuna blood was seen as more of a novelty than an interest. To the people of Mondstadt, she was just a broken woman who had just lost the last of her family.No one would know that she had replaced his heart medicine with powdered Padisarah several weeks ago. Nor would they know about the arranged marriage he had been planning to force her into. That was a secret only she and Juliet would ever know the truth about.For the first time in years, Mika breathed a sigh of relief.

• Character Stories

Trigger Warnings: None

Nerves filled Mika's stomach with butterflies. This would be her first big performance since attending Zubayr Theater–her first time as the lead dancer. It was a thrilling yet frightening experience that she could not get enough of.When she danced in front of the crowd and heard their cheers, it was euphoric. Mika felt seen, like all her hard work had been worth it in the end. It hadn’t been easy. She trained religiously; dance became her sole focus, something she had talent in, something she could finally excel and prove herself worthy through. It was highly competitive and many of the other dancers found her unbearable. Mika didn’t care. She wasn’t here to make friends.School had always been a struggle and she would likely never get the opportunity to become a knight like her brother and father. Mika felt like this was what she was truly meant for.When she struck her finishing pose, bright smile facing toward the crowd, she saw him. The very center of the front row, a bouquet of Sumeru roses in his arms as he clapped for her. Pride and love filled his expression as he gazed up at her. She didn’t think he was going to make it to the show, she knew how busy he was with his training. Tears welled up in Mika’s eyes as she met her brother’s–golden just like hers. Lucien…Their father was nowhere to be seen. Mika couldn’t have been happier.

• Character Stories

Trigger Warnings: Chronic Pain, Worsening Medical Condition, Spinal Cord Injury

Mika’s mornings and evenings were always the same.She woke up right before the sun set to Juliet knocking on her door. She would bring Mika’s breakfast, usually something hardy and warm to help wake her up, along with a cup of water to take her medicine with. They sit and chat for a while, discussing the latest gossip around town or a new recipe Juliet is eager to try out. Afterward, Juliet assists Mika in the bath. It’s always a silent process, done as quickly as possible.Mika gets dressed for the day and wishes Juliet a nice evening before the older woman heads to her small home behind Mika’s. Her own little house to spend her free time away from the haunted manor Mika calls home. At least it feels haunted, dark and dusty, barely used.A night out on the town, or researching her mother's journals, or off traveling. Eventually Mika returns, whether it be that night or several weeks later. She greets Juliet at dawn, her medicine worn off, body aching. Another tense bath, then dinner together–breakfast for Juliet. She will be awake while Mika sleeps, taking care of the manor and keeping an eye out for her young lady. They are the only two that live here now.Juliet tucks Mika into bed after taking her medicine to sleep. A kiss to her forehead before she closes the curtains.It is a comforting routine but one that won’t last. Every year Juliet gets a little older. Every year Mika’s condition gets a little worse. Regardless of what happens, Mika has already set aside the money to take care of Juliet for the rest of her days. She does not call her mother, but she is the last family that Mika has, even if it is not by blood or marriage.

• Character Stories

Trigger Warnings: Drowning, Implied Death

She remembered the Hilichurl that had thrown a rock, spooking her horse. Falling into the river. It was flooded from the last few days of rain. Her head going under water, disoriented from being bucked from her horse. The searing pain as her back hit the sharp rocks at the bottom of the river that forced the air out of her lungs.Her throat burned. Her lungs screamed. Which way was up? The current was so harsh, bashing her against the rocks relentlessly so she couldn't get her bearings.Someone was there, grabbing her. A rope around her waist, desperate hands grabbing onto her, pushing her up. For a moment her head broke the surface of the water and she coughed up the water that had been filling her lungs before going under once again.Lucien. Where was he? The hands that held her were ripped away by the current and she was alone once again. A rope around the waist kept her from moving further down river but she was still at the mercy of the water. She needed to surface. She needed to get out.She didn’t want to die like this.The thought fueled her with renewed power. This time when Mika's head surfaced the water, she breathed in deep, air filling her lungs until it felt like she would burst. It was like the wind answered her desperate wishes, a strong gust helping to push her towards the edge of the river bank. Clawed hands sunk into the mud and clay of the bank as Mika desperately pulled her chest up out of the water. The rope around her waist suddenly went taunt as Lucien’s horse began to pull her the rest of the way out of the river, draggling her mangled body onto land. The other end of the rope was tied to his saddle… yet his rider was nowhere in sight.She tried to scream his name but nothing came out. She tried to stand but her legs wouldn’t move. More water was coughed up on the river bank as Mika heaved and wretched. Everything was fuzzy, the burning pain in her back just an afterthought as her vision blurred. All she could see was the green grass below her… and a small object. Silver and teal, pulsing with a glowing blue light like a heartbeat. It was the last thing Mika remembered before passing out.Her Vision.

• Character Stories

Trigger Warnings: Mentions of blood, mild childhood injury, implied physical/emotional abuse, panic attacks, and topics of unintentional and intentional forms of prejudice based on race/physical characteristics.

Featured Characters: Mika Myrddin (OC), Diluc, Kaeya, Jean, Lev (OC, @scholarlyzephyr), Crepus, Alexander Myrddin (OC), Lucien Myrddin(OC), Adelinde (mentioned)Author's Note: I don't often write solos featuring canon characters because I feel insecure about my portrayals, so hopefully this doesn't feel too off the mark. I do want to start by saying that the children in this are very young! Mika is 8 years old in this story and I have always placed her as the same age or 1-2 years older than the Mondstadt trio. This is to emphasize that they are all children and even the most sweet, gentle, and polite children sometimes throw a tantrum or accidentally say something insulting. I hope that context helps and that the actions of these characters as children (and the lessons learned) plays into the people they grew into, their adult ambitions, their current personalities, etc. Okay, please enjoy. <3

This blinding light, this reckoning
There's more to life than suffering
But there's still time, it's not too late
Nothing will change until I change

The end of Spring and the beginning of Summer meant long, sun-drenched days spent outside until dusk for the children of Mondstadt. They ran through the tall grass, splashed in the lake, and played as pretend knights, their laughter carried on the warm, windswept hills. Today, the only disturbance to the idyllic scenery came from the bickering of two young children."I don't want to play the beast! I want to be a knight this time." Mika stomped her foot, her frustration mounting with each passing second. The flush on her cheeks almost matched the vibrant red of her adversary’s hair."We already decided everyone's roles. Lev is the prince—" Sitting beneath a nearby tree, Lev glanced up from his book and offered a small wave. His delicate health always meant he was cast as the prince in their games. "Jean is the Dandelion Knight, I'm the red-haired knight from legend, and Kaeya is—" Diluc paused, glancing at his brother. "And Kaeya is a pirate."Kaeya grinned and nodded in approval, but Jean’s expression remained uncertain. "Well, Mika could be the Dandelion Knight today. Or maybe Boreas." She attempted to bargain.Mika’s frustration didn’t ease, continuing to rant like she hadn’t even heard Jean. "Why do I always have to play the beast or Boreas? I'm always Ursa the Drake or a Hilichurl or some other monster!"Jean’s attempts to calm her were futile, as Diluc shot back sharply. "Because you play it best! Plus, you're the fastest. The game wouldn’t last as long if you were the knight chasing one of us as the monster."Mika’s simmering quiet betrayed more than anger—it hurt. She knew why she always played the monsters, even if her friends didn’t intend it that way. Diluc was usually kind and considerate; with anyone else, he might have swapped roles without a second thought. But with Mika… well, she had a knack for getting under everyone’s skin."Whatever. Let's play."A collective sigh of relief rippled through the group. The agitation in their scent made her skin crawl and the hair at the back of her neck rise. Mika hated how easily she could read their frustration with her…Without another word, she took off, barefoot, flying down the well-worn path. Their startled cries and exclamations chased her as they scrambled to grab their wooden swords. Mika ignored them entirely, vanishing into the shaded forest near Dawn Winery. Her friends’ worried yelling transformed into joyous laughter; chasing Mika was always a thrill. Quick and silent, she wove through the underbrush, her curly hair and glowing yellow eyes a fleeting glimpse in the shadows.Perhaps they thought she was the prey in these games. Mika never saw it that way. She stalked her friends, leading them in circles, confusing their sense of direction. As they called out orders and crafted their battle plans, she sighed silently. They didn’t understand that she heard every movement they made, that she could pinpoint their hiding spots by scent alone. They believed it was a game of cat and mouse, but Mika knew better—she was always a fox, inside and outside of their games.She played with them for a while, but quickly became bored. It was no challenge for Mika to keep them running in circles as they laughed together. In fact, she probably didn’t even need to remain in the forest for the entire game. It would take them quite some time to notice her disappearance…Stealthing from the tree line, she sprinted straight toward Prince Lev. Normally, this would be the moment to let the knights "catch and defeat her," but today, she had other plans."Oh, you're back early!" Lev looked up from his book, surprised."Yep. I've decided to kidnap the Prince." Mika plopped down beside him, snatching a cookie from his lunch basket. Lev fussed, scolding her with mild amusement. They bickered over the cookie for several minutes as Diluc, Jean, and Kaeya slowly realized Mika had escaped their hunt. Their confused yells made Mika and Lev laugh as they watched them stumble out of the woods and charge toward them.Shoving the last bite into her mouth, Mika stood to meet the trio as they came to a halt in front of her and Lev, panting and wheezing. "I kidnapped the Prince and we’re going to get married. That makes me a Princess. So no more monsters—everyone wins." Mika declared confidently.Lev gave a small shrug, agreeing silently, while Diluc sputtered in shock."W-What? You can't just kidnap people to marry them!""Too late! Lev already agreed. Now we just need a priest!" Mika smirked at Diluc’s deepening blush of anger. Was it the idea of her ruining the game or marrying Lev that flustered him so?Diluc raised his wooden sword, trying to regain his knightly composure. "As noble Knights of Favonius, we have a duty to protect the innocent! Surrender now, or face the consequences." It was the usual line, her cue to admit defeat so they could all celebrate and eat the lunch Adelinde had packed for them. Victory for the knights and death to the monster.Mika shook her head, a playful gleam in her golden eyes. "No."Everyone paused.Kaeya looked between them, confused. He’d already dropped his sword and was rummaging in the snack basket, assuming the game was finished. Lev closed his book, sensing danger, while Jean cautiously stepped closer to Diluc."What do you mean, no?" Diluc asked, bewildered."I mean: No, I don’t surrender." Mika moved away from Lev to stand directly across from Diluc, expression darkened. This was no longer a game. "If you want me to surrender, you’re gonna have to make me."Diluc hesitated, heart hammering. He hadn’t wanted to fight in earnest, but to walk away would be cowardly, especially with the Prince watching. He steeled himself. "This is your final warning…"Mika crouched low, eyes fierce as a wolf’s in the long grass. "Make. Me.""Guys, stop! We’re not supposed to roughhouse!" Jean’s protests were drowned out as the pair collided. Mika and Diluc tumbled into the grass, his sword thrown aside. They yanked each other’s hair and smacked with open palms. There was no real intent to harm each other behind the blows, but both children had gotten carried away with their emotions."Get off my tail!" Mika growled, yanking his long red hair as Diluc sat on her tail. Diluc grabbed one of her ears in retaliation, making her yelp in a way that was more fox than girl. Jean and Kaeya hovered anxiously, searching for a moment to intervene. Dust kicked up as the pair rolled over and over, sending Lev into a coughing fit from the sidelines. It was chaos, full of cries of pain on both sides and the worried shouts from Jean and Kaeya.Mika was always faster and stronger, but Diluc was bigger. He managed to land on top, tugging her ear with one hand while the other shoved her face against the ground. "Surrender!""No!"Both children were winded, but adrenaline surged through Mika. She was trapped. The yelling, the dust in her eyes, the ringing in her ears—it overwhelmed her and began to wildly flail her arms. Panic swelled in her chest and suddenly it felt like she couldn’t breathe. She was trapped and she was dying. She was going to die. She was going to die."Get off get off get off GET OFF—!"It happened so fast. One second Diluc was above her; the next, she was staring up at the blinding sun. Everything sounded muffled. Jean’s voice calling Adelinde’s name was distant, as was the sound of her retreating footsteps. The world was spinning. Slowly, Mika sat up, feeling something hot and sticky on her face.She turned her head.Diluc sat beside her, half his face painted crimson. One wide, shocked eye stared back; the other was closed beneath the blood. Mika looked down at her hands.Her claws were stained red.Sound returned all at once. "Let me see your eye. Diluc, open your eye!" Kaeya begged beside his brother in tears. Lev pressed a cloth into Diluc’s hand, still trying to calm down his coughs as he forced Diluc to press the handkerchief to his bleeding face. Still, Diluc stared only at Mika.She had never seen such raw, primal fear from a friend. It struck her deeper than any punishment her father had ever given."It was an accident," she croaked. Diluc flinched at her voice. "I didn’t mean—"Her breath caught. She was shaking. Instinct took over.Fight or flight.Mika stumbled to her feet, turned, and ran back to the woods.

Crepus Ragnvindr had never been particularly fond of Alexander Myrddin. Respect? Yes; Alexander was undeniably competent. As a Knight of Favonius, he possessed a sharp tactical mind, and as a businessman, he maneuvered the social and economic spheres of Mondstadt with a surgeon’s precision. But as a father? That was another matter entirely.Lucien, Alexander’s eldest, was everything a parent might hope for: brilliant, articulate, impeccably mannered. He had been training to be a knight since he was old enough to wield a sword and was one of the most promising trainees the Knights of Favonius had seen in years. Lucien shone like a gilded heirloom polished to perfection for the Myrddin family.But Crepus didn’t mistake brilliance for upbringing. Not when Mika stood right beside her father—small, silent, withdrawn into herself as though any movement might draw unwanted attention.Crepus had tried, once, to extend grace. Raising two children alone demanded impossible choices, and he understood that more than most. But it was hard to ignore the sharp tension embedded in the Myrddin household, the cool disdain Alexander didn’t bother to disguise when he looked at his daughter.Alexander wielded his children the way others wielded weaponry: Lucien was the ceremonial blade showcased for admirers, gleaming proudly on display. Mika… Mika was the old dagger left to rust in the back of a drawer, useful only when convenient, unseen when not.Crepus’ thoughts were interrupted as Alexander cleared his throat, posture stiff with formality. "I must once again apologize for this incident, Lord Ragnvindr." They had already discussed the event thoroughly in Crepus’ office, but apparently Alexander needed the last word as Crepus walked them to the entrance hall."Really, it’s quite alright. I’m just glad both children are safe." Crepus looked down at Diluc, who stood quietly at his side. His son had been cleaned and bandaged since the fight. Mika’s claws had narrowly missed his eye, leaving only long, angry scratches along his cheek and brow. But Diluc was steady now, calmer, chin lifted with a child’s restored confidence.Crepus placed a warm, grounding hand on his boy’s back. "Diluc, is there anything you want to say to Lady Mika?"Diluc puffed his cheeks, scowling briefly before Crepus gave him a familiar look: firm, expectant, gentle. The boy softened. "I’m sorry, Mika. It… it wasn’t very gentlemanly to hit you. Even if you started it—"Crepus cleared his throat sharply."A-and I’m sorry for making you play the monsters. Next time we can all be knights. I promise."Crepus nodded, pride warming him. Children fought. Children made mistakes. What mattered was taking these struggles and turning them into positive learning moments. Diluc took responsibility—that was more than enough.But the moment was short-lived."Dominique," Alexander said, his voice cold as a winter draft, "apologize to the young Lord Ragnvindr."Silence.Crepus turned toward Mika and the sight struck him like a blow. The girl stood rigid, her head bowed, fists curled tight at her sides. Her father and a squad of knights had dragged her from where she’d hidden in the forest; she’d been deposited straight into the winery, still trembling. No one had thought to wash her face. Dry flecks of blood—Diluc’s blood—still clung to her cheek and jaw."Dominique." Alexander did not raise his voice but the low timbre seemed to echo through Dawn Winery. Mika flinched as though struck, her small frame shuddering.Before the tension could snap, Crepus stepped forward. His tone remained polite, but the authority beneath it was unmistakable. "I think Lady Mika is in shock. Both children have had a difficult day. Let’s put this to rest for now."It wasn’t a suggestion.Alexander’s golden eyes narrowed fractionally. Enough to betray offense, not enough to challenge openly. Mora and public appearances were everything to a man like Alexander. He wouldn’t cause a scene while he stood in another nobleman’s home—especially the home of one considerably better liked than himself."All that matters," Crepus continued, "is that both children are safe. Wouldn’t you agree?"Another silence followed, far heavier than the last. The two fathers weighed each other with measured glances: Crepus steady and unyielding, Alexander unreadable behind that cold, disciplined façade.At last, Alexander inclined his head just slightly. "Of course." He placed a firm hand on Mika’s shoulder. "Dominique. We are leaving. Good evening, Lord Ragnvindr."He swept from the entrance hall without so much as a backward glance. Mika stumbled to keep pace with him, her small form nearly swallowed by the weight of his grip and the oppressive silence.Diluc watched from the winery steps as the carriage doors shut and the horses began their slow, deliberate trot away from the winery. As the carriage reached the bend in the road, he saw the curtain shift.Mika’s face—pale, streaked with dirt and dried blood—peeked back at him. Her lips moved silently.I’m sorry.Then the curtain dropped, and she vanished behind the trees.A moment later, Kaeya appeared at Diluc's side, arms crossed, worry clouding his visible eye. "I was watching from the window upstairs," he admitted, stepping closer to his adopted brother and father. "Is… Is Mika going to get in trouble?"Crepus’ stomach tightened. His sons didn’t know. They couldn’t know what he suspected about Alexander’s temperament and what that coldness might look like behind closed doors. But even they sensed it: something was fundamentally wrong."I don’t know, boys," Crepus said softly. He knelt, pulling them close with an arm around each small shoulder. Their faces turned up to him, searching, frightened in their own innocent ways.He pressed a kiss to each of their foreheads. "Accidents happen. People make mistakes. That’s just a part of life. You can’t control the behavior of others, but you can always choose how you respond to it… and sometimes you’ll get that wrong.” Diluc glanced down at his feet in remorse. He definitely could have done better to keep a level head with Mika and avoided this whole situation.Sensing Diluc’s guilt, Crepus continued encouragingly. “One of the hardest lessons in life is learning how to forgive others. I’m sure if you can find it in yourself to forgive Mika, she will do the same for you.” He held them close, letting his words sink in. "What you can do now, is be there for her. Just like I will always be here for both of you."Diluc and Kaeya nodded, taking in their father’s wisdom with the solemn sincerity only children possess.They couldn’t yet understand how deeply those words would shape them or how heavily they would echo in their hearts after Crepus was gone.

“It’s been like… a week. Do you think we should go check on her?” Kaeya asked, uncertainty tugging at the edges of his voice.Both boys lay sprawled on the wooden floor of Diluc’s bedroom, their morning lessons finished but their spirits noticeably dim. Nearly lunchtime, yet neither felt hungry. The manor had been unusually quiet since Mika’s fight with Diluc, quiet in the heavy way that made even the sunshine outside feel muted.Diluc’s scratches had healed nicely, and the weather had been bright and clear all week, but neither boy felt the urge to run outside or play knights and pirates. Their attempt to visit Lev had ended at his door with the news that he was unwell after all the excitement. Jean they still saw at shared lessons, but her mother had doubled her training hours, leaving them little free time together.And Mika…At first, Diluc and Kaeya assumed she was being punished, confined indoors and forbidden to leave the manor. But two days ago, they’d spotted her at the market. She’d been walking beside her maid, eyes downcast. When the boys had waved and shouted for her, Mika didn’t look their way. Not once. Before they could reach her, she’d already climbed into a carriage, disappearing in a blur of wheels and dust.Whether she hadn’t heard them or had chosen not to, they still weren’t sure.“…What if she doesn’t want to see us?” Diluc exhaled slowly. “What if she’s still mad at me?”He’d been doing a lot of thinking since the fight. Long conversations with his father had helped him unravel his own feelings. Mika wasn’t cruel, not really. She just had big emotions that rushed out too fast, too sharp, too overwhelming for her small frame to hold. Diluc understood that more than he liked to admit. But he had his father and Kaeya to help him through those storms. It seemed like Mika only had her older brother.And Mika looked different from the rest of her family—different than everyone in Mondstadt. That must be incredibly lonely. It wasn’t something he had ever really considered until Crepus had explained it to him. Even Kaeya admitted he sometimes felt that way too. No matter how much Crepus and Diluc considered him family, these differences could be hard to ignore, causing resentment and insecurity to fester. It had opened Diluc’s eyes to the different struggles his friends must face and made him all the more enthusiastic about becoming a knight to protect them from such terrible feelings. He wanted to make Mondstadt feel like a home to everyone, no matter where they came from or how they looked.Kaeya pushed himself upright with a soft grunt, giving his brother an incredulous look. “I don’t think she’d stay mad. Remember when we put worms in her rain boots? She only stayed angry for, like, an hour.”Diluc winced at the memory. Mika had chased Kaeya halfway across Mondstadt after that.Kaeya crawled over, grabbing Diluc by the shoulders and giving him an energetic shake. “Come oooooon. We can’t avoid her forever! Let’s go say hi.”Reluctantly, Diluc relented. The worst that could happen was that her maid would send them away.…Or Mika might try to bite them. She mostly bit Kaeya in the past, though. She really loved biting Kaeya.Still, maybe they would get answers. And that was better than the quiet, anxious not-knowing.They slipped on their shoes, accepted a packed lunch from Adelinde, and began the long trek from Dawn Winery toward the Myrddin estate. The walk helped settle their nerves; by the time Springvale’s outskirts came into view, their anxiety had given way to a bubbling, hopeful excitement.The manor itself, however, was as foreboding as ever. Years had passed since the fire, but the reconstruction dragged on. Scaffolding clinging to charred walls, stonework half-completed, and patches of the estate still blackened from old smoke. It loomed like a wounded animal too proud to be put down.The boys rarely came here. And not just because of the haunting building itself.Before they reached the front steps, they spotted a familiar face in the rose garden.“Lucien!” both boys shouted, sprinting toward the teen with matching grins.Lucien looked up from the book resting in his lap, curls shifting as he brushed them from his face. His smile appeared, but lacked its usual spark. “Good afternoon, Diluc, Kaeya. Off on an adventure today?”“We were hoping to visit Mika!” Kaeya blurted before Diluc even opened his mouth. “Adelinde packed the sandwiches she likes. So… can she come out?”The question made Lucien’s smile fade. He closed his book with a soft thud, shoulders sinking as he leaned forward.“I’m sorry, boys, but Mika can’t—”“Will you tell her I’m sorry?” Diluc interrupted, the words tumbling out before he could stop them. His heart squeezed painfully. Obviously, Mika was still upset with him. Of course she was. Why else would she ignore them at the market?Still…“Even if she doesn’t want to see me, she could still play with Kaeya. I can go home if she wants.”Kaeya didn’t even get the chance to protest. Lucien let out a small, sad laugh. “No, it’s not like that,” he said gently. “Mika was accepted into an arts program in Sumeru. She left yesterday. And I’ll be leaving in a few weeks for the Akademiya myself.”Both boys froze, absolutely stunned.They hadn’t even known she liked art, let alone that she was looking to go outside of Mondstadt to study. Why would she ever need to travel to another nation when they had everything she needed right here? Mondstadt was literally the city of bards!“Oh…” Kaeya murmured. “Okay. Um… when will she be back?”Lucien hesitated, then offered a tight, strained smile. “It’s hard to say. There’s a break around the holidays, I think. But realistically…She’ll only be home a few times a year until her schooling is finished.”Silence settled heavily over all three of them.“So she’s just… gone?” Diluc was the first to speak.“For now, yes. Father wants her to focus. She’s never done well in her practical studies, so he hopes the change in environment might help…” Even Lucien didn’t sound confident in the reasons he gave.Diluc frowned. “But… what about being a knight?”That made Lucien pause. His expression softened into an expression of pity. “Not everyone gets to grow up to be a knight.”Lucien stood as a voice from the manor called his name. Quickly he patted both younger boys on top of the head, ruffling their hair. “You two take care. I’ll tell Mika you came to see her… and that you wished her well.”He gathered his things, offered one last fragile smile, and walked back toward the manor. The boys remained where they stood, stunned into silence.After a long moment, Diluc’s voice trembled.“…Is this my fault?”Kaeya squeezed his hand, firm and steady.“No,” he said quietly. “It’s not your fault. And it’s not Mika’s either.”Sometimes, things simply happened beyond their control. All they could do was choose how they reacted to it.Together the brothers turned back down the dirt road and began the slow walk home, hand in hand.

• Character Stories

Trigger Warnings: Drowning, Dead Animal (descriptive text spoilered), Paranoia

Mika returned to her home in Sumeru after a month-long expedition, her shoulders sunken and eyes downcast. She didn’t say a word to Juliet as she passed through the threshold and headed straight to her room, a shower of sand following in her wake. It was not weariness that drove her to solitude. Disappointment lay heavy in Mika’s heart as she slammed her door shut and leaned her back against it.Months of planning, weeks of travel, and ancient secrets that long lay buried… lost again to the sands. They had finally uncovered the hidden tomb of one of King Deshret’s priests—the kind of discovery that only happens once in a lifetime—only for a hidden trap to flood the main chamber with sand. It was a miracle that the researchers had made it out alive before the entire tomb sunk deep beneath the earth, unreachable by any of their attempts to dig it out. In all likelihood the tomb had been destroyed—the priest's final safety measure to keep the secrets of King Deshret buried with him.It was Mika’s fault the trap went off. The scripture had specified only true children of the desert were allowed to enter the priest’s final resting place. Such a simple mistake… She was so stupid. She had spent so much time traveling the desert that she had really tricked herself into thinking she belonged there.Mika slowly peeled off her sweat soaked clothes, long since numb to the grit of sand in every fold of the fabric. She wasn’t in the mood to call Juliet in to help her bathe, so she sat on a stool by the wash basin and slowly cleaned herself with the cold water and a rag. She scrubbed her skin till it was red and raw. Perhaps if she scrubbed hard enough, it would erase the memories of that terrible trip.A stroke of bad luck. That was what the researchers had said. Most of them were kind about the situation. They had still made impressive discoveries in the tomb before it sank. Everyone made it out alive, so they were grateful. But Mika let it fester in her mind… unlucky.Mika paused in her bedroom after she had changed into a clean nightgown, her mind unsettled. There was a pull in her heart… a calling she could not ignore. She slowly kneeled in front of the heavy wooden trunk at the end of her bed, opening the lock with shaky hands before lifting the lid.Inside lay a khopesh carved from a pale, almost luminescent wood. It had hardened over centuries into something closer to stone, yet its surface held a soft glow, as though the ley lines still breathed through it. The blade’s crescent curve still gleamed like polished bone, smooth beneath a faint tracing of Padisarah flowers that followed its edge. A single water lily was worked into the hilt, its carved petals opening around a small inlay of cool, blue light. She felt, rather than saw, the quiet pulse of something ancient within it, as if the branch it had once been still remembered the Goddess who shaped it.Mika gave a soft, disappointed sigh. What was she doing? The sword held no answers for her. It was just another one of her mother’s secrets—much like her countless journals in a language she could not decipher, or the locked jewelry box she could not open by brute force or magic alike. Mika was alone in this misery.With a final longing gaze towards the dormant khopesh, Mika closed the lid and locked the chest once again. She needed more information. There had to be something else… something she was missing...Dragging herself into bed, Mika slowly drifted into a fit full sleep.·•—–٠✤٠—–•·The sound of crashing waves and cracks of thunder were roaring in her ears. Mika's head bobbed beneath the icy waters. Each time her head broke the surface as she gasped wildly for air, the safety of land seemed farther and farther away. She was being pulled out to sea by the rushing waters.She thrashed and screamed as the inky waters filled her lungs. In this dream, though, she never drowned. Instead, Mika was forced to watch other dark shapes in the water attempt to fight the waves with her. She'd get close enough to recognize them—Juliet, Lev, Kaeya, Diluc, Jean, Nilou, Tighnari—only to watch as they were sucked under the turbulent waters never to resurface again. Over and over she watched her loved ones drown—A bang at her window woke Mika from her nightmare with a jolt. Sweat plastered hair stuck to her forehead, her chest rising and falling in quiet heaves of panic. Her back ached from the memory. That searing pain was just as fresh as the day it happened.She stumbled from her bed to the window, pressing her forehead against the cool glass as she peered outside in a panic. Her heart clenched at what she saw in the garden below.·•—–٠✤٠—–•·Juliet had been awoken by the same loud noise. She'd grabbed a lantern and a shawl to throw around her shoulders before creeping downstairs into the back garden to investigate. Mika was already there, kneeling on the ground with something in her hands, her head slumped forward as if she was asleep, or perhaps in prayer."Mika, are you alright?" She asked gently, coming closer until the light of the lantern fell upon Mika.Resting in Mika's hands was a dove. It was clearly dead, its neck and wing twisted in an unnatural way from its fall. Mika was holding the little bird in her hands so gently as Juliet came and kneeled beside her. Mika's head remained bowed, hair concealing her expression like a curtain."It's a bad omen." She spoke softly, but her voice was raw. Juliet wondered if she'd been crying in her sleep again.Juliet rest a gentle hand on Mika's arm, leaning down to try and meet her gaze. "Mika... it was just an accident. It doesn't mean anything.""Why would a dove be awake at this time? Why my window? Why..." Mika's mumbling trailed off slowly. Her shoulders shook as she took a shuddering breath, finally looking up at Juliet with wild, frightened eyes. "Death comes in threes. This is just the start." She was on the edge of hysterics. To Juliet, it was like Mika was a little girl again. A scared wild animal, that's what she looked like. Would she run or lash out with her claws?Juliet had no worries, though. She'd raised Mika, and she held no fear of Mika lashing out in fear. Slowly she reached forward to take the bird from Mika's shaking hands, no hesitation as her old weathered skin brushed Mika's clawed nails. "I'll bury the dove." She whispered softly, then added in a firmer voice. "My darling, you see signs of death everywhere. Sometimes a dead bird... is just a dead bird."Mika hesitated, that fear turning slowly to unease and sorrow. She looked at Juliet with watery eyes. "...Are you sure?" Her voice wavered with held back tears."I am sure." Juliet was not sure, but she'd never tell Mika that. It didn't matter if this was a bad omen – that wouldn't help Mika to hear. Juliet rarely put much stock into fate or omens and she wished Mika didn't either. It had driven the young girl mad with anxiety. It broke Juliet's heart to see her fall into the same pattern again and again.She leaned over, pressing a kiss to Mika's temple. "Go rest. I will take care of this." With a shaky nod, Mika stumbled to her feet. Juliet noted the pain and stiffness in Mika's walk as she went back inside the house. She'd need to prepare tea and give Mika an extra dose of her medicine this morning. But only after she'd laid the dove to rest here in the garden.·•—–٠✤٠—–•·When Mika received a letter a few days later from her favorite bard describing the sudden surge of Abyssal activity along Mondstadt’s borders, she didn’t hesitate. She and Juliet packed their things and set off the very next day.The desert had become a place of solace, but never home. Sumeru, for all its knowledge and warmth, wasn’t home either.Mondstadt was.Painful as its memories were, she owed it to her brother to protect the home they once loved so much.

DILUCBasic:
★ Would know that the "Myrddin" family name is an old noble family from Mondstadt.
★ Both being from noble families, they have at minimum met a few times as children at shared events.
★ Both Lucien (Mika’s older brother) and Alexander (Mika’s father) were Knights of Favonius. He liked trained under both of them at some point in his youth before they both died.Optional Headcanons:
★ She convinced a very young Diluc that she had rabies after biting him. She later had to apologize after Diluc told Crepus he was going to "die from rabies" and "to give all his toys to Kaeya when he was gone"
★ When they were very young, she once pranked him (and Kaeya) by scaling a tree outside their window and scratching on the glass at night. Scared them absolutely shitless, and to this day they still don't know it was her and not some feral monster.
★ Mika still teases Diluc, though now it's usually to try and soften him up. It's her way of trying to bring back some of the joy of their childhood together.
★ Diluc, Jean, & Kaeya would have all been young Knights in training when Mika had her accident and were part of the search team for her brother. His body was never found and the assumption was that the river swept it out to sea.
★ They met once while in their early Twenties after both their father's had died. They were both emotional wrecks (for different reasons) spent the night catching up with each other in some small little tavern. After that, they kept in touch via letters during their individual travels.
》 VERY OPTIONAL: They had a one night stand after their long talk, finding some comfort in each other, but then went their own ways knowing they were both far too broken at the time to be any good for each other.
★ After learning about Diluc’s goals, Mika began to send him information about Fatui movement in Sumeru and any other places she traveled through.Featured Stories:
Incorporating these stories into your Muse's lore is 100% up to you! If you DO want to claim and share this lore, I would love to hear that from you! Please feel free to DM me.
★ Arcturus BeamingKAEYABasic:
★ Would know that the "Myrddin" family name is an old noble family from Mondstadt.
★ Both being from noble families, they have at minimum met a few times as children at shared events.
★ Both Lucien (Mika’s older brother) and Alexander (Mika’s father) were Knights of Favonius. He liked trained under both of them at some point in his youth before they both died.Optional Headcanons:
★ When they were very young, she once pranked him (and Diluc) by scaling a tree outside their window and scratching on the glass at night. Scared them absolutely shitless, and to this day they still don't know it was her and not some feral monster.
★ She knows his favorite flower because she used to follow him in secret as a child. She was just shy, but it probably scared the shit out of Kaeya.
★ She has absolutely bitten him before (as a child). Her brother made her apologize to him and Crepus.
★ On one of her few visits back to Mondstadt around age 14ish they had to dance together at some fancy knight event both their families were at. She purposefully stepped on his toes.
★ She sometimes secretly pays his tab at Angel's Share ahead of time while she's in town.
★ Diluc, Jean, & Kaeya would have all been young Knights in training when Mika had her accident and were part of the search team for her brother. His body was never found and the assumption was that the river swept it out to sea.Featured Stories:
Incorporating these stories into your Muse's lore is 100% up to you! If you DO want to claim and share this lore, I would love to hear that from you! Please feel free to DM me.
★ Arcturus BeamingJEANBasic:
★ Would know that the "Myrddin" family name is an old noble family from Mondstadt.
★ Both being from noble families, they have at minimum met a few times as children at shared events.
★ Both Lucien (Mika’s older brother) and Alexander (Mika’s father) were Knights of Favonius. She liked trained under both of them at some point in his youth before they both died.Optional Headcanons:
★ Mika thought Jean was the coolest as a kid and always wanted to talk to her about becoming Knights together.
★ They had to take Etiquette Classes together as kids. Mika was awful at them, but Jean did her best to help... it often led to Jean getting in trouble with Mika.
★ Jean’s mom did NOT like Mika and did not want them playing together. They still found ways to do it anyways.
★ Mika thinks Jean works far too hard and always tries to disrupt her plans when she is in Mondstadt. She will beg, plead, and even pull tricks to try and get Jean away from the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
★ Diluc, Jean, & Kaeya would have all been young Knights in training when Mika had her accident and were part of the search team for her brother. His body was never found and the assumption was that the river swept it out to sea.Featured Stories:
Incorporating these stories into your Muse's lore is 100% up to you! If you DO want to claim and share this lore, I would love to hear that from you! Please feel free to DM me.
★ Arcturus BeamingVENTI
WIP

All character stories will feature a Trigger Warning at the start. If I have missed any critical warnings, please DM me to let me know!To any Canon characters featured in these stories: Incorporating these stories into your Muse's lore is 100% up to you! If you DO want to claim and share this lore, I would love to hear that from you! Please feel free to DM me.

Character Stories

• Story 1
• Story 2
• Story 3
• Story 4
• Story 5
• Aches and Pains
• Vision

Solos

• Arcturus Beaming
• Three