The morning breeze carried a warm air, fluttering the white curtains. Doves flew across the azure sky, blooming flowers swayed silently. Mondstadt's morning was fresh and leisurely.
"Daddy, does Klee's new dress look good?"
Little Klee got up early, changed into her pretty new clothes, and pushed open Ken's bedroom door.
In the bedroom.
Ken leisurely put on his clothes, looked at his precious daughter's new dress, and praised, "Beautiful."
A Lolita-style red-and-white short skirt with bloomer pants, white knee-high socks embroidered with pretty four-leaf clover patterns. The most eye-catching was the pointy witch hat on her head, different from her usual cuteness.
Dressed like this, little Klee looked like a genuine little witch elf, with added mystery.
"This is what Mommy left when she went away. Klee hasn't wanted to wear it until now."
Little Klee stood in front of the mirror, looking at her pretty self, contentedly squinting her big eyes.
Now Klee is almost like Mommy!
Mommy's hat is like this, and her skirt is this color too!
"Let's go eat breakfast, then we'll head out."
Ken took Klee to the bathroom to wash up. After finishing, he brought his daughter to the dining room.
The dining room had Satisfying Salad and Fisherman's Toast, packed by Mona from the nearby Good Hunter restaurant.
"Mona, no issues with the business lately?"
Ken ate the toast and asked.
Last night, everyone was here eating, drinking, and having fun; no time for business talk.
Mona was seriously eating her Satisfying Salad and shook her head: "No, the shop's business is great lately. Just need to restock the warehouse; don't forget, boss."
"Mm, I'll restock tomorrow." Ken said, "Today is Children's Day on Blue Star. Want to close the shop for a day and go play on Blue Star? Eula's there; you can hang out with her."
"Eula?" Mona was a bit happy.
Since meeting Eula, she'd found they got along well, with Eula's sharp tongue but soft heart.
"Thanks, boss." Mona said excitedly. "But Fischl came looking for you recently. She said she was on a mission before, but if there's time, she still wants to visit Blue Star..."
"You can take her." Ken didn't mind. He'd promised Fischl before, but since she worked for the Adventurers' Guild, missions delayed it.
Mona nodded: "Thanks, boss!"
Her already relaxed mood became even more joyful.
Mona looked at Klee enviously.
Her luck is so good. Not only is she the Knights' mascot, but her dad is amazing... So envious. But then again, if her luck was that good, she wouldn't have met that old hag.
After breakfast, Ken took Klee along the game route toward the floating island.
Mona tidied the shop, posted a temporary closure notice, and then went to Fischl's home to find her.
After contracting with Ken, she could use the Vortex Gate to go to Blue Star.
His contract partners could freely use the Vortex Gate but could only go to his Blue Star villa.
...
Floating Island.
Located thousands of meters high in Mondstadt's sky, a floating island hidden among white clouds.
The island was about four to five kilometers in area, protected by the witches' barriers. Normally hidden in drifting clouds, ordinary people couldn't see this mysterious island in the high skies.
As Ken arrived holding Klee, the mysterious floating island slowly revealed itself.
The ground was lush with green grass, covered in white flowers. The azure sky was like a clear mirror, vast and high. Large patches of brilliant white clouds floated overhead. In the distance were the towering shadows of Mondstadt's mountains; nearby, poetic flower clusters. With the breeze, the floral scent was fresh and pleasant.
Following the pebble-paved path forward, several pointy little houses appeared. In the distance was an ornate long table with pretty large flower umbrellas for shade, full of ceremonial feel.
"Daddy, where is this? It's so pretty!"
Little Klee looked at the serene and beautiful floating island, curiously running to the long table.
Around the pretty long table were chairs painted with sorcerer patterns, with exquisite gold and silver tableware, oddly shaped retro lamps, and pure, beautiful flower bouquets.
Even after countless years, the long table was dust-free, the beautiful bouquets still fresh and blooming eternally, as if people lived here every day.
"This is where Mommy and her witch sisters gathered."
Ken was here for the first time too. Unlike the glimpse in the game, the scenery was extremely beautiful.
In the distance, several pointy little houses, babbling streams, white windmills turning by the clear lake—everything was so peaceful and wonderful.
The surrounding wind brushed their cheeks, seemingly carrying the witches' laughter from days past.
"Is that little house Mommy's? It has Klee's favorite Dodoco pattern!"
Klee's cheer broke Ken's thoughts.
Looking where Klee pointed, there was indeed a red pointy-roofed little house ahead, surrounded by Dodoco patterns.
Ken: "..."
Worthy of Alice; even the house patterns were so distinctive.
Thinking of that lively yet quirky witch, Ken was somewhat looking forward to this call. But Klee was already running toward Alice's room.
Since the floating island was small, each little house was only about 60-70 square meters.
Though small, they were fully equipped, sufficient for temporary stays during gatherings.
Ken followed Klee's steps and pushed open Alice's house door.
Cozy comfortable sofa, vibrant blooming bouquets, bubbling tea water, scattered pillows on the floor, and an unfinished book.
It looked as if no one had ever left the floating island.
Regrettably, the witches' gatherings were many years ago. Even preserved perfectly, no one had set foot here in a long time. The witches of old laughter had long gone their separate ways.
While little Klee was in the room feeling her Mommy's presence, Ken went out to look at the other witches' houses.
Of course, he didn't go inside, but from the exterior decorations, he could roughly tell.
The one with Teyvat flowers blooming outside was probably Witch Rhinedottir's house, creator of Albedo and the dragon Durin, codename R in the Hexenzirkel, aliases Gold.
The little house with a completely different orientation and layout was probably Witch Nicole's, codename N, a lady very particular about directions.
The rest included the author of The Boar Princess, Mona's master, etc.
As for Alice...
"Daddy, Mommy's blanket in the room is still warm, like Mommy just left."
After staying in the room for a while, Klee suddenly felt a touch of sentiment.
According to Daddy, this was just Mommy's old gathering place.
Mommy hadn't been here in a long time, but the setup as if someone lived here made her heart faintly sad.
"Don't be sad. Look down; see where you are now."
Ken patted little Klee's head, held her hand, and took her to the edge of the floating island, letting her look down.
Little Klee rubbed her eyes, then exclaimed, "Daddy! We're actually above Mondstadt?!"
When Daddy carried her up earlier, surrounded by wind shields, little Klee didn't know where this was, only that Daddy flew her here.
Now seeing the familiar scenery below, little Klee got excited.
So Mommy's secret base was above Mondstadt.
"Mm, now taking Klee to talk to Mommy."
Seeing his precious daughter's longing for her mother, Ken didn't tease anymore.
"Really? Then hurry, Daddy! Klee hasn't heard Mommy's voice in so long!" Little Klee grabbed her backpack straps with both hands, her little legs bouncing excitedly, her expression full of anticipation...
Ken smiled and patted her head, holding little Klee's hand to the long table.
He lifted Klee onto Alice's chair, then looked at the retro lamp in front.
Based on the method in the game, Ken placed his hand on the retro lamp.
The originally dim elegant lamp lit up with golden glow as Ken infused power.
The golden glow twinkled like stars, with a rhythmic frequency.
Watching the constantly flickering lamp, little Klee held her breath, her big eyes expectantly watching the flashing light, her small hands tightly gripping the straps, showing the little one's nervous mood.
Ken wasn't nervous; he felt a peculiar mischief.
If Alice heard his voice, would she scream in surprise?
The lamp's flickering frequency was like transmitting a distant signal, calling the witch far away.
This strange, quiet atmosphere lasted a while.
Time passed, a full few minutes, and the flickering lamp suddenly brightened fully.
["Eh? This lamp actually lit up?"]
A young, bright voice came from the lamp, with a bit of confusion.
But the confusion lasted only a moment. When speaking again, the bright and lively voice vanished, turning into a mysterious, eerie, low tone: "Who disturbs this witch's slumber? Do you wish to receive punishment from the witch?"
Klee scratched her head in confusion, subconsciously looking at Ken.
That was clearly Mommy's voice just now... how did it suddenly change to this?
Why is Mommy imitating someone else?
Ken: "..."
Faced with the little cutie's confusion, Ken was also helpless.
If Mona were here, she'd surely recognize this eerie low voice as her master, the "old hag's" voice.
But Alice had lived so long, yet her bright, lively, mischievous personality hadn't changed—quite precious.
["Hm? He who awakens the witch, if you don't report your name, you'll fall into endless nightmares..."]
Alice couldn't hear the other side, and that deliberately lowered voice came again.
Little Klee scratched her hair, puzzled: "Mommy! Why are you imitating other people's voices?"
Even if Alice was deliberately disguising, it couldn't fool little Klee.
Mommy used to love imitating others' voices to prank people.
But now there's no one to prank?
Klee was quite perplexed, puzzled as she asked Mommy.
The sweet, soft cute voice caused a moment of silence from Alice on the other end, followed by an awkward chuckle: ["Ahaha... Is... is it my little cutie?"]
"Yes! Mommy! Klee misses you so much!"
Hearing Alice's voice return to normal, little Klee loudly declared her presence.
This familiar cute baby voice made Alice's mouth twitch wildly.
This lamp hadn't lit up in ages; she'd wanted to prank whoever lit it, but to her surprise it was her own daughter.
This was way too embarrassing.
Alice quickly adjusted her mindset and said dotingly: "Baby, Mommy misses you too!"
"Why did Mommy imitate someone's voice just now? Mommy's so naughty!" Little Klee said with a smile, her big eyes full of happiness.
Daddy by her side, Mommy on the other end of the lamp...
Children's Day is really great, letting Klee experience such a happy moment.
["Even the scariest witch was once a little girl."] Alice's voice was light and gentle. She softly asked: ["Baby, how did you find the floating island? Is there anyone else with you?"]
Though she had strong confidence in her daughter's talent, the long-existing floating island was known to very few.
Little Klee didn't know about this place.
And at little Klee's age, it was hard to come here on her own.
Hearing this, Klee's smile grew more excited. She grabbed Ken's hand and shouted excitedly: "Mommy! It's Daddy! Daddy brought Klee here to let Klee talk to Mommy!"
Alice, who had been gentle and doting, instantly changed her expression: "???"
...