Bandaged Heart
Amber: "Hmph!"

One calm and peaceful night, Amber's grumbling echoes through the air as she exits the Knights of Favonius's headquarters in a huff.

Amber: "I can't believe, after all this time, they still treat us like rookies! And I promised Markus we'd surely..."

Markus: "What about me?" He cuts her off, turning his head towards her while leaning against a wall, his arms crossed.

Amber: "O-oh! Sorry for keeping you waiting so long, especially this late at night..."

Markus: "It's no problem." He utters, hopping off the wall before stretching. "How did the meeting go?"

Amber: "U-uh..." She looks away, scratching the back of her head nervously. "U-um..."

Markus: "It didn't go well?"

Amber: "O-of course it did! And I have good news!" She tries her best to feign a confident pose. "You know that a lot of guests from other regions will be visiting Mondstadt for Ludi Harpastum this year, right?"

Markus: "Of course I know that."

Amber: "Well, we've been given an important task during it! And that is...

Markus: "... That is?"

Amber: "To patrol the perimeter of the city!"

Markus: "..."

Amber: "..."

Markus: "Isn't that... what we normally do?"

Amber: "E-er..." She frowns, her head drooping. "Y-yeah..."

Markus: "So, as always, we're not given any special tasks during times like this... Or at all..."

Amber: "Argh!" She suddenly exclaims, pouting. "I promised you things would be different this time!"

Markus: "Hey, calm down! It's not that big of a deal..."

Amber: "As your senior Outrider, I feel sooo ashamed...!"

Markus: "U-uh, well... Why don't we look on the bright side instead of moping?"

Amber: "And what would the 'bright side' be, Markus?"

Markus: "U-um..." He pauses, thinking about it. "W-well... if we find it, we should... definitely look at it..."

Amber: "Oh right, I guess there is one thing!" She says, brightening up a bit. "We were tasked with patrolling together this time! Lately, we've always been split up on our patrols, so that might be pretty fun!"

Markus: "Yeah, the last time we were supposed to work together I... got sick..."

Amber: "That's okay! I mean, you're not sick this time, right? ... Er, you're not, are you?"

Markus: "No, I'm perfectly fine this time. No need to worry." He nods, his face turning serious. "I won't do stupid things like become ill from fatigue again, I promise."

Amber: "Markus..."

Markus: "I vowed to help you reach your ultimate goal.. of bringing the Outriders to their former glory. And I'll do everything in my power to make that happen. You can count on me!"

Amber blinks a few times in silence, before a huge grin spreads across her face.

Amber: "Awww, you've become so capable and cool, Markus!" She giggles while playfully ruffling his hair. "I'm so proud of my junior Outrider~!"

Markus: "H-hey, quit it, Amber! Jeez!" He says while blushing lightly in embarrassment.

Amber: "Alright! You've made me super motivated!" She proclaims, raising a fist in the air. "Let's patrol around the cathedral one more time before bed!"

Markus: "Yes! Okay!" He raises his own fist in response, before they begin making their last rounds.

--

In the wide, open plaza below the cathedral, the giant statue of the Anemo Archon looms over them, bathed in the light of the moon and shimmering stars above.

Amber: "It's crazy how empty this area feels at night. I bet I'd hear an echo if I shouted really loud!"

Markus: "Please... don't actually do that..."