Reality Shifting, a seemingly impossible concept where one moves their consciousness around different universes, some real and some fictional.

Genshin Impact, an open world RPG with an anime art style and beautiful visuals as well as an intriguing story line, aka - a game that easily grabbed your interest. Put two and two together and now, you’re in the fictional world of Teyvat, specifically Mondstadt!

Having not scripted anything major, you got bored of walking around without having the privileges of being“the - Honorary Knight - Traveler”, since … well, you’re not.

Out of ideas, you make your way to “the symbol of Mondstadt’s hero” where you spot three familiar faces seemingly in conversation. You managed to sneak over, hiding behind the other side of the tree while hoping to not be noticed by The Traveller, Paimon, and a certain bard dressed in green, trying to figure out where in the story you currently are…

“So, who was that nasty woman who sent Paimon flying and stole your gnosis?” The flying white speck asked.

Ah, so here we are, the end of Mondstadt and the start of Liyue? The memories of your own play through echo throughout your mind as a soft night breeze echoes throughout your ears. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to stay behind the tree a little longer?

“Her name” the Anemo bard starts, moving his hands around for added emphasis. “Is Signora, number eight of the harbingers. She and the rest of the harbingers have been given god-like executive authority by the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya, and with it, strength surpassing that of other mortals.”

If you hadn’t known his character lore, you would have wondered why his voice, alike the wind that he controls over, is calm, smooth, and overall easy to listen to… to the point where you start zoning out a little every time he speaks, making you miss parts of the scripted dialogue.

By the time you enter back out of your own mind, still physically hidden behind the tree while the three continue their conversation, unaware of your presence.

“Even so, it sounds like he works much harder than a certain someone, hmm?” Paimon taunts, staying in the air next to the blonde traveler, only to be answered by a small “… Eh-heh” by the green bard.*

“… In any case, this years Rite of Descension is soon to begin.” Venti rambles on, though, his voice seems more cautious than how it was a few minutes ago, could he have… no, surely he didn’t know you were there. “if you miss it”, he continues “you’ll just have to wait another year.”

This earns a shocked look from both the Traveller and Paimon - mostly Paimon, though.

“What?! Why didn’t you tell us, before? Well, then- bye! Traveller, we’re going!”

“One moment, Windborne Traveller.” Venti starts again, grabbing the Travellers attention while you zone out again, still behind the same tree, somehow having stayed out of the sight of all of them.

As the wind blows naturally, Venti rambles on while answering every question the Traveller has for him, with Paimon pitching in to speak every few seconds, the wind ‘sneakily’ moving some unruly strands of hair out of his face.

The conversation drags on, the only things noticing you are the Anemo Crystalflies, getting as far away from you with their turquoise wings guiding them into the skies, providing a soft flutter every once in a while.

“Well then” Venti’s voice starts again, still moving his hands while he speaks. “Best be off to Liyue, if the descension ritual you fail to tally, then another year you must dally.”

The sound of his voice soon he’s replaced by the soft steps of the Traveller walking away, your vision comes out of your mind again, watching both the Traveller and Paimon walk away - or in Paimon’s case, float.

“… The wind holds secrets so dear, so why you’ve been hiding behind that tree? Would you like to say, or to be rattled out by the breeze?”

You freeze, you didn’t remember this part of the dialogue, peaking around the tree once more to unknowingly make eye contact with Venti.