Ganyu
"He really is spontaneous," Ganyu mumbled, staring absentmindedly at a spread of papers before her, her mind currently elsewhere.
'To think he'd bring in five new workers for trial.' Imagine her surprise when the ones coming to deliver the stolen supplies were the Treasure Hoarders that stole it themselves.
She had thought they came to turn themselves in out of guilt. She did not expect, however, for them to be wearing a Shadow Band and explain that they were doing a trial to become the Shadow Courier's new hires.
Thankfully, Keqing happened to be in the area and handled their background checks. Her search showed no major criminal records or history, though this may change with further investigation.
For now, they were the Shadow Courier's temporary hires.
'I hope this doesn't become a habit…' It wasn't that it was a bad instinct to have, giving people in difficult circumstances another choice rather than punishment.
But she really hoped he would create a structure eventually, or it would keep growing until Ren had no idea how to deal with it.
'At least he's consistent about it.' She'd placed the five under Meifen, who had been delighted at the prospect of new people to train. "Newbies," she'd called them, already rubbing her hands together with an enthusiasm that seemed slightly excessive for basic onboarding.
Ganyu had also overheard something about pitying them for what they were about to go through in training.
'I should probably ask what that means.'
She filed the thought away and looked back at her papers, though her focus didn't return with it.
One of the new hires had mentioned that a man had approached Ren right after his confrontation with them.
Ren had told them to head to the harbor without him and hadn't given any explanation.
That had been hours ago.
'He should have been back by now.'
She looked up at the sun's position, gauging the time. The operation didn't strictly need him for the next stretch, but everyone said that he'd be back quickly, and it was well into the afternoon now.
'Should I go look for him?' For the first time in a long time, Ganyu was considering stopping work to search for her friend.
That was until a familiar voice shouted from a distance.
"I'm back! Sorry it took so long!"
Ganyu felt a wave of relief hit her as she saw Ren jogging toward her. Though that relief lasted only a short moment until she registered his current state.
The first odd thing that caught her attention was her inability to sense him once he entered the harbor.
His energy was usually distinct enough that she could pinpoint him anywhere in the harbor with enough concentration, but she hadn't felt him at all until he was at least a hundred meters in front of her.
The second, and more important thing was his absolutely battered state.
He had one eye that had a faint purple bruise blooming around it. Bandages that rolled up to his neck, his shirt no doubt hiding more underneath. Even his right forearm had bandages over it!
"W-What happened?!" She was on her feet and in front of him almost instantly to check his bandages.
"Well." Ren turned his head slightly, purposely not looking at her. "Errr. There was a… Uhh…"
"—There was a hidden hillichurl camp nearby that gave Mr. Roman some trouble."
'Who—?'
Standing a short distance away was a face she recognized immediately from recent Qixing briefings, the Snezhnayan diplomat. The eleventh Harbinger. Tartaglia.
"Mr. Tartaglia? How would you know that?"
He casually walked over and put a hand around Ren's shoulder to bring him into a side hug.
The sudden action made Ganyu narrow her eyes at the harbinger, and her chest felt like it tightened. An unfamiliar, territorial feeling bloomed in her chest.
"I happened to be in the area and heard a commotion, so I went to check it out." He gave the shoulder a light pat. "Found your friend here having some trouble with a few lawachurls. Figured I'd lend a hand."
Ganyu narrowed her eyes further, actually making the harbinger uncomfortable as his smile twitched for all but a second.
"I see… In that case, thank you for looking out for him, but—!" She reached out and took Ren's hand, pulling him gently but firmly out from under Tartaglia's grip. "We should get back to work. It was pleasant seeing you, Mr. Tartaglia."
Tartaglia stood there for a moment, his eyes moving between Ren and Ganyu a few times before it seemed like he came to a slow understanding about something.
"Ah." He nodded to himself. "I see how it is."
"See what?" Ren asked.
"Nothing, nothing." Tartaglia waved a hand, already turning to go. "I'll take my leave. See you two around!"
...
...
"Ren," Ganyu said, still holding his hand, "stay away from that man."
"Huh?!"