Kaleidoscopic Color Chase/Story

(Approach the Asha)

Paimon: What's this frisky little Asha doing here? And— Huh? Bennett?

(As Paimon comments on the Asha, Bennett quickly approaches the group)

Bennett: Oh hey, it's (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍) and Paimon! Hello!

Bouncy Asha: !

Paimon: Back at the resort for a vacation, Bennett?

Bennett: Uh-huh. (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍) might recall that I wrote you two a letter to let you know that...

Bennett: A few months ago, I finally saved up enough money from all my well-paying commissions...

Bennett: And I finally managed to invite my dads and friends to the Easybreeze Holiday Resort for a proper getaway.

Bennett: My dads were really pleased to see that my streak of bad luck has almost fully ended at Natlan!

(The Traveler applauds)

Paimon: Oh, you definitely have to share good news like this with everyone, Bennett!

That's fantastic news!

It feels so good to hear it no matter how many times you say it!

Bennett: Aw, if only we met you two last week. We could all have had a meal together or something.

Bennett: Hmm, looks like that meal's got to wait till you two come over to Mondstadt again. When you come, we'll find somewhere super safe and have a "Safe Adventuring Cave Dinner" together.

Paimon: Hold up, Bennett — are you saying that your dads and friends are gone and you're here at the resort by yourself now?

Bennett: Yeah. My dads were actually having a really good time here when they received news that Miss Diona at Cat's Tail Tavern would be away on a business trip for quite some time...

Bennett: So, rather than extend their vacation, they decided to return to Mondstadt as originally planned. That way, they'll be able to get in a few more of Miss Diona's special drinks before she goes on her trip.

Bennett: But don't you worry, I'm not stranded here because of a delay or lost boat ticket or anything. I'm staying to help out a few friends.

Bennett: We were fishing by the sea when we ran into a few Ashas, known as "colorists," that appeared to be in some kind of tricky situation.

Bennett: Based on my experience from before, I guessed they were looking for some extraordinary treasure...

Paimon: Hmm. Since these Ashas are known as colorists, the treasure they were looking for must be...

Some kind of super awesome color paint?

Some kind of really precious color paint?

Bennett: That's right! Aside from painting surfaces everywhere they go, the Ashas also love to seek out color paints for their personal collections.

Bennett: The colorist Ashas have discovered a very special color paint in some secret realm... It's a kind of free-roaming paint.

Bennett: And like the Crystalfly, these colors are always moving around, all over the place. The colorists have no idea how to catch them...

Paimon: Oh, tell you what, let us help too. Let's go to that place and see what's going on.

It is always a pleasure to help out an Asha in need.

Want something special for your collection? We're the ones to call.

Asha Colorist: !!!

Bennett: Great! Let's give the colorists a hand together then. I'll just follow your lead in this.

Bennett: I really hope these Ashas can get hold of the most marvelous colors so they can mix the most radiant, dazzling hues and continue spreading their unique brand of joy!

(After completing all event stages)

Bennett: Looks like our colorist Ashas are very much satisfied now.

Bennett: Another challenge completed for our wondrous Ashas!

Paimon: Awesome! We did it!

(The Asha Colorist runs off from the group in a hurry)

Paimon: Is this Asha here inspired to start another artwork already?

Well, you know how inspiration can come and go in the blink of an eye...

So you have to strike while the iron is still hot.

Bennett: Ah, look at all the treasure it's left behind... (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍) and Paimon, the two of you should have it! For all the hard work you've put in!

Bennett: Maybe the next time we come by, we'll be able to see the colorist Asha's masterpiece.

Paimon: Just imagine what kind of work it would be! Especially when even the regular Ashas are already capable of coming up with such beautiful colors.

Paimon: Paimon can't wait to see what the colorist Ashas will create! Maybe they'll come up with something... beyond what words can describe.

Paimon: Maybe the colors of Phlogiston, the moon, or the depths of the starry sky?

Bennett: Yeah, that's exactly how it should be! If we come across a creature in some kind of trouble during our adventures, we should do everything we can to help it...

Paimon: Mm-hmm! Who knows? Maybe one day we'll receive some unexpected rewards!

I agree with Bennett.

And it feels very fulfilling as well.

Bennett: Ah, but... We shouldn't do it just because of some expected reward. That'd be beside the point.

Bennett: Even if there's nothing in it for us, helping friends in need and seeing their smiles return as things turn for the better...

Bennett: I really like that feeling!

Bennett: How are we feeling, (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍)? Let's continue guiding the Ashas as they collect the paint balls!

Let's do our best!

Bennett: Alright! It's always so exciting to be on an adventure with you!

Any more good news?

Bennett: Well, let me think...

Bennett: ..Because [sic] I was having such great luck in Natlan, I was able to explore things I hadn't dared to delve into before...

Bennett: For example, making myself a perfectly suited set of adventure gear! Wristguards, knee pads, leg wraps, and insoles — all included!

Those are some rather unexpected items...

But why these?

Bennett: That's something you should also pay more attention to, (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍). Protecting your joints and feet from injury is really important when you're on an adventure.

Bennett: Climbing with a load puts your knees under constant stress. So when you're moving through rugged terrain, you've got to stay sure-footed — one wrong step, and you could easily twist an ankle.

Bennett: On longer hikes, your feet might give out before your legs do. You've got to guard against fatigue, or you might end up hurting yourself without even realizing it.

Bennett: That's when gear that cushions impact and protects you really comes in handy.

You do have a point there.

I haven't really thought about that before.

Bennett: In the long run, you can never have too much handy gear!

Bennett: You might also be interested in some tips other adventurers have gathered through years of trial and error...

Bennett: For example, you can chop up plants like the Calla Lily and Saurian Claw Succulent, crush them into a flour, and cook the mixture with Unmoving Essential Oil for a couple of days.

Bennett: Then, pour everything into a mold and let it cool next to the Mist Flower overnight. After that, just trim it lightly and shave off any uneven parts...

Bennett: And voilà, you've got protective gear that's even more shock-absorbing than the Prancing Mushrooms of Sumeru! They say with it on, you could climb the Great Volcano of Tollan twice in a day and your soles and joints would still be fine!

That sounds like a pretty straightforward process to me.

Although I could probably climb the volcano a few times even without it...

Bennett: You know, if I were anywhere else, I'd probably find myself stuck at the cooking part...

Bennett: Either something unknown gets mixed into the pot and the whole thing spoils halfway through, or the entire pot explodes and sends fragments flying everywhere...

Bennett: If I went shopping for something similar, I'd either end up with gear that doesn't fit me or something of poor quality.

Bennett: Not that the seller is deliberately trying to sell me something inferior — rather, they might not even be aware of the quality issues themselves... I'd just have to chalk it up to bad luck in either case.

Bennett: That's why I've never had good protective gear before. While it's not exactly mission-critical, but it definitely affects how your adventure goes.

Bennett: So, I decided to get exactly what I need to finally make gear I'd be satisfied with during this trip to the resort...

Bennett: This feels so wonderful... So this is what it feels like to run with good insoles and knee pads that fit just right!

Are there any of your other friends around here?

Bennett: Well, if you mean the adventurer friends I've met before, they're all satisfied and have gone back home with my dads.

Bennett: The only ones left in Natlan are a few tourists from Mondstadt who rode in with us.

Bennett: But there was... I think a wrestler with horns on her head? She came up to me and asked if I'd seen a girl wearing a hat...

Bennett: I heard that wrestler is some big-shot warrior from the Collective of Plenty who did pretty well at the Dragonspine International Cross Country Challenge.

Bennett: Maybe quite a few of those Mondstadters have made friends with the people of Natlan while we weren't looking...?

I'll come back later.

Bennett: Alright, we'll be waiting for you!

Available after completing A Splash of Color on the Plate!

Bennett: You know what, (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍)? It feels like we're becoming more and more in sync!

I'd like to have a recap of what we went about collecting the paint.

Bennett: Oh? Are you getting inspired too? Go for it then!

What do you plan to do next?

Bennett: Hmm... I might be a bit short on time.

Bennett: Since there are still a few days before the next caravan departs for Mondstadt, I want to try climbing the Great Volcano of Tollan.

Bennett: Ahem, what I mean is I'd like to find a scenic spot on the outskirts to take in the view, while being mindful of local customs, of course.

Make sure you stay safe.

Enjoy the scenery all you want but be sure to avoid any dangers.

Bennett: Yes, I will! When I'm in Natlan, I feel unstoppable!

Bennett: I hope everything goes smoothly for you too!

See you next time, Bennett.

Bennett: Alright! Here's to swimming in luck and having the best stories to share when we meet next!

Varesa: Minnie, Minnie... Look at what Asha painted over there. Doesn't it look like a Fonta bottle got knocked over... with juice splashed all over a mushroom pizza?

Minnie: You're right! It sure looks like it...

Minnie: Now I want to eat it.

Varesa: Me too... But isn't it a bit strange to mix the flavor of Bulle Fruit with mushroom?

Should we give it a try?

Varesa: Huh? Am I... hallucinating from too many mushrooms...?

Minnie: Nope. It's really (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍)! What a surprise to see you here at the resort!

Your name was... Minnie, right?

Minnie: Oh, you remember me? Nice... I feel really encouraged again...

Varesa: That's right! She's our lead artist at The Legion of Soulblazers who's now working on a side story For [sic] The Soulblazer Saga.

Varesa: Minnie's done something really amazing this time, she came all the way up to Natlan by herself, riding in on the adventurer's caravan!

That really is a long way to come.

Isn't your family worried about you?

Minnie: It's okay now, and it's all thanks to you, (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍), Varesa, and Xilonen. You convinced my parents before, so they're not as strict anymore.

Minnie: After the cross-country challenge, I finally had the chance to draw some public service posters for the Church of Favonius, as well as illustrations for a few publications...

Minnie: Later on, Varesa sent a story I wrote inspired by The Soulblazer Saga to Yae Publishing House, and it was noticed by Ms. Asagiri, the famous illustrator.

Minnie: What incredible luck! Ms. Asagiri liked my work so much, she even wrote a letter to mom and dad.

Minnie: Now my parents understand that illustration can be a serious career and is very much worth my time.

Sounds like things are going well for you.

That's good news.

Varesa: If you ask me, Minnie, you should believe in yourself more. Your skills have nothing to do with luck. They're the result of your hard work every day.

Varesa: It's like... how I can wrestle pretty well these days thanks to my training with Coach Iansan.

Varesa: Ms. Asagiri has also worked on illustrations and comics for many "The Soulblazers" titles, and she directly recommended Minnie to Editor Moriko, who is known for her extremely high standards...

Varesa: And it so happened that they had been looking for an artist for the comic adaptation of a side story in The Soulblazer Saga for quite some time...

Varesa: They had Minnie take a written test, on which she scored over 90 points and even broke the recruitment record.

That's incredible!

Congrats!

Minnie: T—thank you!!!

Minnie: But this isn't the time to celebrate yet... To be honest, it makes me rather nervous to work on such an important series when I don't even have anything else published yet...

Minnie: I'll keep improving my skills while I try my best to complete this work.

Minnie: For this trip to Natlan, I'm not only planning to meet up with Varesa, Xilonen, and Nepecha, but I also want to explore as much of the local culture as I can, so I'll have plenty of references for the job!

Varesa: Heh heh. I got my hands on several... relics(?) from the Saurian Relics Association when I was selling fruits over at the Stadium of the Sacred Flame recently.

Varesa: So in short, I now have a better understanding of how Fietena and Taika were portrayed in history, and even their Saurian companions and caravans!

Varesa: You can send me your first draft. I'd be happy to give you some feedback!

Who's this? I don't think we've met before...?

Varesa: Allow me to introduce Minnie, our lead artist at The Legion of Soulblazers. She's a friend of mine who's also really into woven scroll comics.

Varesa: We took part in the Dragonspine International Cross Country Challenge together, and placed pretty well in the end!

Varesa: This time, she's here to take in the culture of Natlan in preparation for a comic job!

Have fun, you two.

Please excuse me. I have to go take care of something.

Minnie: Alright... we won't keep you any longer.

Varesa: Do come by the Collective of Plenty when you have the time, (‍TravelerThe player's chosen name for the Traveler‍)!

Varesa: Vanana and I will have the sweetest fruits ready for you!

(I don't really want to eat this though... Better bounce while I can.)

(Exits dialogue)

Minnie: I met a few low-key fans of woven scroll comics while at the Easybreeze Holiday Resort recently. They were all discussing this new release...

Minnie: ...Called "A Super Strong, But Also Overly Chill Tumaini."

Varesa: Huh. I think I've heard of it before...

Varesa: It's a crossover work by Ms. Vigee, an Interactive Film specialist, a light novel based on folk legends from Natlan in recent years.

Minnie: Yes, that's right! But it's written in a way that's different from most mainstream works. It's almost like... a collection of travel anecdotes? And somehow, out of nowhere, it became this huge hit...

Minnie: I think that when I finally become a real artist, I'll need to explore new concepts in my work too...

Minnie: And once I've honed my skills to a certain level, I'll try weaving in some comic-style storyboard panels into this work too!

Xilonen: Did you have a good time with Minnie? Is it about time to head back?

Nepecha: Yes, yes! We had so much fun!

Nepecha: Also, I took a closer look at the drawings Minnie gave me...

Nepecha: And in a few of them I saw... the idol of Mondstadt? Miss Barbara of the Church of Favonius is a really good dancer!

Nepecha: Didn't Mualani say she wanted another dance party at the resort? She even said that she wanted to invite dancer experts from other nations this time...

Nepecha: Maybe Mualani would be interested in inviting Miss Barbara?

Xilonen: Sounds like an idea. I'll show these drawings to Mualani and see what she says...