Spark Knight Klee
"I, Mona Megistus, was sent on this perilous journey by my Master, to retrieve her sacred journal. It was a long, difficult journey, but at last, I..."

Thud. She falls to the ground, her stomach growling loudly.

Mona: "C-curse my mortal body, and its constant need for nourishment! And right as the city of Mond finally stands before me...!"

Her head slumps down, her large, pointed hat falling over her face.

Mona: "Mmngh..."

"... Markus, Markus, look! I found something weird on the ground!"

Mona hears faintly, as two pairs of footsteps slowly approach her.

Markus: "Klee, I told you not to poke at every strange thing you find."

Klee: "Oh, it's actually some lady."

Markus: "... Klee, I told you not to poke at every strange person you find."

Mona: "H-how dare you, I am neither 'weird' nor 'strange'!" She utters, raising her head weakly.

Markus: "Oh, she's awake."

Her head immediately slumps down onto the dirt (again).

Markus: "Never mind..."

Klee: "Should we help her, Markus?"

Markus: "I'm... not sure. I've seen a few people 'beg for help' outside of the city before, only to turn out to be scam artists..."

Klee: "What's a 'scam artist'?" She tilts her head in confusion. "Someone that tries to sell bad drawings?"

Markus: "N-no, it's... Uh..."

Once again, Mona's stomach growls, even louder this time.

Klee: "Ooh, that was sooo loud! She must be super hungry!"

Markus: "Yeah, I don't think you can fake that..."

Klee: "We should bring her to Mondstadt to get her some food!" She grabs Mona's arm, pulling it in an attempt to move her.

Markus: "K-Klee, no! You'll hurt her!"

He leans down, trying to pull Mona over his shoulder.

Markus: "T-this is difficult to do by myself..." He begins to walk forward, but is clearly struggling. "O-oof..."

Klee: "Wow Markus, you're not very strong!"

Markus: "Shush, Klee..." He pouts. "Thankfully, we're still fairly close to the front gate... Would you mind calling Swan or Lawrence over here to help me out?"

Klee: "Okie dokie~!"

Markus watches Klee dash away while still carrying Mona on his back.

Markus: "Her attire is so... odd. Who even is this...?" He eyes her, still with some suspicion. "It looks like the kind of outfit Fischl would wear..."

"Oh, Markus!"

Markus: "N-Noelle?!"

His eyes widen in surprise as he sees the familiar maid/knight-in-training sprint towards him, Klee in tow.

Klee: "Klee brought Noelle!"

Markus: "I told you to get Swan or Lawrence, not..."

Klee: "Klee saw Noelle when I ran over there, so Klee decided to ask her instead."

Markus: He brings a hand to his face, sighing. "Jeez... S-sorry to bother you, Noelle..."

Noelle: "It's quite alright. I'm happy to help with whatever you need." She notices Mona draped over his shoulder. "Who is this young woman? Is she unwell?"

Markus: "She's apparently... really hungry. I need help carrying her to the city..."

Noelle: "Understood. Leave it to me!"

Noelle effortlessly lifts Mona onto her back, carrying her forward with just as little effort toward the gate... all by herself. Markus simply stands there, watching her in disbelief.

Markus: "..."

Klee: "Whoa, Noelle is sooo strong! So much stronger than you, Markus!"

Markus: "Ooogh..." He glances away in shame.

Klee: "I want to be strong like that too when I grow up~!" She giggles, bouncing up and down.

Markus: "M-maybe I need to work out more..."

--

Markus: "It seems Sara's out to lunch. That's a shame..."

He states as Noelle gently sets Mona down on a chair at Good Hunter's outdoor dining area. Mona immediately slumps her head on the table in front of her, not caring that her hat has fallen off her head.

Markus: "Oh well. Hopefully she won't mind me borrowing the restaurant's kitchen..."

Noelle: "Allow me to prepare our guest food, Markus."

Markus: "N-no, that's okay, I can...!"

Before he can protest further, Noelle has already moved behind the counter, getting started on lunch for everyone.

Markus: "I blink, and she's already begun cooking..." He scratches the back of his head in disbelief. "I suppose she's not considered one of Mond's most reliable maids for nothing. I feel bad about having her make the food, though..."

Klee: "Why doesn't Sara just eat her lunch at Good Hunter, Markus?" She suddenly asks him. "I mean, she cooks here all the time, anyways. Sara's so silly~!"

Markus: "It's because she cooks all the time that she wouldn't want to do it during her break, y'know? Going to eat at other places could give Sara ideas for new dishes, too."

Klee: "Oooh, that makes so much sense! You're so smart, Markus!"

Noelle: "Yes, I'm impressed. What insightful information!" She adds with a smile, looking up briefly while making the food.

Markus: "I-it's not that big of a deal..." He utters, lightly blushing.

Klee: "Hm?" She curiously tilts her head back and forth toward Noelle and Markus. "Are you two... friends now?"

Markus: "Um... what?"

Klee: "Klee has never seen you two talk like this. And Noelle visited you when you were sick before, right?"

Noelle: "Yes, we've become friends recently. We haven't had many opportunities to converse much, however."

Klee: "You should come play with Klee and Markus! You can talk a lot to each other, then~!"

Markus: "Noelle's probably busy, Klee." He says with a frown. "And we still have to make sure our... guest here doesn't die of starvation..."

Klee: "That's too bad... You don't ever get to talk with Noelle, even though she's your 'special someone'?"

Markus and even Noelle are taken aback by this. Noelle almost drops the spatula she's holding before quickly returning to cooking.

Markus: "S-special som-..." He shakes his head, his face reddening. "Where did you hear that from?!"

Klee: "Miss Eury told me that. Klee doesn't know what it means, though... Are you two super special friends?"

Markus: He clears his throat, calming himself down. "D-don't listen to what Eury says. She's just messing around..."

Klee: "Huh?" She tilts her head in confusion. "But what does 'special someone' mea-..."

Markus gently covers Klee's mouth with his hand before she can finish.

Markus: "Drop it, Klee."

Noelle: "F-food's ready!" She laughs nervously, bringing over everything she prepared.

Markus: "Sweet Madame, Radish Veggie Soup... and Tea Break Pancakes?! What a spread...!" He exclaims in shock at the sight of all the food.

Noelle: "Apologies, I wasn't sure what our guest preferred, and I wanted to make something for you and Klee as well..."

Markus: "N-no, I mean... You made all this in such a short amount of time?! That's amazing!"

Noelle: "You think so? Thank you, Markus..." Her face turns pink at the compliment.

Markus: "I was just going to make Fisherman's Toast..." He thinks to himself. "I feel a bit ashamed for that now..."

Klee: "Ooh! I want the pancakes!"

Markus: "Have some soup, too."

Klee: "B-but Klee doesn't like radishes..." She whines.

Markus: "You said you wanted to grow up strong like Noelle, right? That won't happen if you only eat sweet things."

Klee: "But you love sweet things too, Markus!"

Markus: "I-it doesn't mean that's all I eat, though!"

Noelle giggles at the interaction, before noticing Mona slowly sitting up, practically drooling at the food in front of her.

Mona: "F-f-food..."

Noelle: "Oh, she's awo-..."

Mona: "Food!"

In practically an instant, she gobbles up the Sweet Madame, in a manner very unbefitting of such an elegant-looking young lady.

Markus: "... Welp, there goes all the chicken..."

Klee: "Aww, Klee didn't get to eat any!"

Noelle: "It seems I didn't make enough food. I'm sorry, that was poor judgment on my part..."

Markus: "It's not your fault, Noelle. I don't think anyone could've predicted... that."

Mona: "Ah hah hah! I feel alive again~!"

She rises up gracefully off her chair, placing back on and adjusting her pointed hat in an equally graceful motion.

Markus: "She's going to pretend she didn't just devour all of that food like a crazed Mitachurl, isn't she...?"

Mona: "Thank you kindly. Tell me, what is the name of my gracious savior?"

Klee: "Her name is Noelle!"

Noelle: "U-um...!" She places her hands in front of her shyly. "'Savior' is a bit much. I merely offered you food. I-it's what anyone would've done..."

Markus: "You carried her here too. Don't sell yourself short, Noelle."

Mona: "Not only did you save me, but you are humble as well." She crosses her arms with a smirk. "I am Mona Megistus, and I specialize in astrology. By studying the stars, I can read a person's fate, with 100% accuracy. The stars do not lie, so they reveal all with absolute clari-..."

Markus: "Oh wow, so you are a scam artist."

Mona: "Scam artist?! How insolent! Who is this rude person?!"

Klee: "This 'rude person' is Markus."

Markus: "Yes, this 'rude person' is indeed Markus." He repeats with dry sass.

Mona: "Hmph!" She huffs, before turning back to Noelle. "Normally, I don't my readings for Mora, or food in this case, but I'll make an exception for you if you'd like. I don't offer this to just anyone, you know."

Markus: "No thanks, I'll pass."

Mona: "I wasn't talking to you!"