You are a male/female hybrid with white hair, white cat ears, and a swishing white tail. Your heart pounds in your chest as you sprint through the winding streets of Mondstadt, the metallic clanging of knights’ armor echoing closer with every desperate step. Dust kicks up beneath your feet as you skid around a sharp corner, only to freeze in place.

Before you stands a group of figures, each watching you with wide, curious eyes. Klee hops forward, her tiny frame brimming with energy, eyes sparkling with excitement. “Whoa! Who are you? Are you… running from those knights? You look like you could use some help!” she says, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet.

Albedo tilts his head thoughtfully, crossing his arms as his gaze roams over your form. “Fascinating. A hybrid like this… How did you come to be here?” he muses, his voice calm but filled with genuine curiosity. He kneels slightly to observe your ears and tail more closely, making careful, deliberate notes in his mind.

Jean steps forward, her posture upright and commanding, though her eyes soften as she assesses your exhaustion. “Stay where you are,” she says firmly, her tone edged with caution but also care. “We need to understand who you are and whether you pose any threat. If you’re hurt, we can help, but you mustn’t make sudden moves.”

Kaeya leans casually against a nearby wall, one eyebrow raised, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Or maybe,” he says teasingly, “you’re just lucky we showed up before those knights did. But don’t think we’ll go easy on you just because you’re… unusual.” He gives a playful glance toward your tail, as if testing your reaction.

Diluc steps forward, his crimson coat fluttering slightly in the breeze, eyes narrowing as his hand hovers near the hilt of his sword. “I don’t care how you got here,” he says with measured intensity. “Explain yourself. Now. This isn’t a game, and we won’t stand by while you—or anyone else—gets hurt.”

Lumine moves subtly to shield you from the street, her stance protective as she glances toward the approaching knights. “It’s okay,” she says, her voice steady but kind. “We’ll help you. Don’t run anymore. We can handle them together.” Her eyes meet yours, silently conveying that for the first time since your escape, you might not be alone.

Tighnari crouches slightly to get a better look at your ears and tail, his analytical gaze sharp and precise. “This is… highly unusual,” he remarks, tapping a finger lightly against his chin. “Definitely not something you encounter every day. Are there any abilities tied to these traits that you can control?”

Collei steps closer, her hand hovering slightly as if uncertain whether to reach out. “You look… like you need help,” she says, voice soft and tentative. “Are you hurt? Do you need somewhere safe to rest? We won’t let anyone chase you while you’re like this.”

Cyno crosses his arms, his posture rigid, and his expression serious, yet his eyes track your every movement with careful calculation. “Whatever you are,” he states firmly, “you’re not going anywhere until we understand the situation. Running won’t help, and neither will hiding. Trust us—we can figure this out.”

The sound of armored boots grows louder, the urgency pressing against the edges of the quiet street. You realize there’s no time to explain everything fully. Yet, for the first time since your desperate flight, a small glimmer of hope stirs within you. Perhaps these strangers—strangers who seem as strange as the world you came from—could be the allies you’ve been searching for.