%20copy.png)
My name is Jean Gunnhildr. I am the Acting Grandmaster for the Knights of Favonius in Mondstadt. And just recently, I met with Lisa over an upcoming contest in football. Lisa told me that this team comes from a nation with my name on it. ArJEANtina, was the name. I know that was not the exact spelling, but it was a cute pun, I had to admit. And there was a talisman trying to finally win this World Cup. A man named Lionel, or Leo for short.
As my sign is a lion, no surprise that this resonated with me. As I decided to pen a letter of support to the team and Leo ahead of the match with France, who was supported by Venti (this place is said to have the finest wines in the waking world, therefore it resonated with the bard), I suddenly felt the struggles of a long life of service to sports and people. An adventure of a lifetime, soon to meet a conclusion. But there was a catch. To ensure that the long and arduous search for this holy grail ended the way it was to end, it needed my clearance.
A straightforward assignment. I penned my words wisely.
===
18 December 2022
Lionel Andres Messi Cuccutini.
As your nation has my name on it (though I actually jest), turning back was never an option. So, do you still dare to dream, hero? My hope is that your dream ends and is transformed into a reality that you will find peace with. Let the wind lead. Good luck.
Signed,
Jean Gunnhildr
Acting Grandmaster, Knight of Favonius
ArJEANtina supporter from Mondstadt, Teyvat
===
Thus was the message sent. I was called to watch in the square with others of the contest. "Well, Master Jean, I am fine with whatever the outcome will be," said Venti. "I figured my team had done all it could do anyway, but you never know in a sport like this..."
"I am just glad that there is a place in the Traveler's world where my name seems to be embedded in its culture," I replied.
"Do they have good steak?" asked Amber with an expectant look.
"Well, Amber, the place is known for having raw meat that would rival our own in terms of marbling and flavor, according to my own collected intel," Kaeya said. "And Lisa's."
"Can confirm, Cavalry Captain," Lisa said. "But every victory must be earned, no matter what. As always. Let's have a seat and see how this goes."
"What's going on?" asked Paimon, accompanying Lumine.
Lumine noticed the big screen. "Soccer. It's that game." She checked her device and saw a message from many years ago, which said:
"December 18, 2022. 34 year old Leo Messi will win the World Cup and become the greatest player of all times. Check back with me in 7 years."
"Oh, it seems someone knew what would happen," Paimon said. "This person must know something we don't. And the stats on this post are exponentially increasing. Could it be...?"
23rd minute, a penalty conversion by Leo. And 13 minutes later, a man named Angel with a second. One half passed. 2-0 ArJEANtina. I had to laugh when I pronounced the country name with my name in it. It sounded so cute, yet so unhinged. But the real name, said to be Argentina, evoked many centuries of history, a mixture of cultures and heritages.
Time stood still as it passed, the closing half. It was my very first time watching a football match. But things started to turn on their heads. French Venti (he isn't French, though) was back in it thanks to a cheeky young man named Kylian. A penalty in the 80th and a follow-up in the 82nd. All square at two goals apiece. "Oh Venessa, is this real life? Or is this Fantasy?" I whispered, falling to my knees.
"Ohohoh, Jean, it seems the tables have turned...hic..." said Venti, gliding around in a carefree mood. "Ladies and gentlemen, I declare we have a grandstand finish to settle this once and for all."
"Mm-hmmm," said the others, simply nodding before going back to their seats to watch. The match would go to an additional two extra periods of 15 minutes, according to the game's laws.
"Lisa?" I asked her.
"Yes, Jean, what is it?"
"In all my years of going through stressful periods in my life, I have to admit, nothing ever prepared me for this."
"Well, that can only give me one conclusion?"
"What?"
She leaned in and whispered, "You're really, really enjoying this match."
I could only blush. She was right. Every pass, every duel, every challenge. every intent and emotion was felt in what some aficionados called "The Showdown Of The Century." Venti's team made some impressive clearances late in the first period, causing my head to be in my hands. My team was knocking on the door but I didn't like their wastefulness. A second period of extra time loomed.
In the distance, some fans were vocally discussing the game, some to the point of shouting things I won't say in this anecdote since they were really devout in their verdicts. I offered a prayer Venessa and to Varka, to ask my team to see this through and get the winner, because according to the laws, the match goes to a sudden death series of kicks from the penalty spot. Lisa debriefed me on the full laws in a massive tome that I chose to keep in my personal library for safe keeping.
As the period went on, I thought about a lot of things. Why was I working so hard? Why was I not taking breaks? Why was I being hard on Klee? I thought so many things...and some. In the 108th minute, Lionel scored on a follow-through that was verified onside via video assistant refereeing, a technology that perhaps the sages of the Akademiya could never have come up with.
All of a sudden, I jumped in the air, and screamed, "Hang in there ArJEANtina, I'm with you all the way! I'm with you! I'm with you! I'M WITH YOU!" And I fell to my knees, in my Sea Breeze Dandelion outfit, and prayed one more time, the tears falling out of my eyes. "Please let this work, please let this work..."
"Uh, is Jean okay?" asked Paimon, looking over her shoulder.
"Ahahahahah, I think...she got carried away here," Venti said.
"Do something about it, will you!?"
Venti pointed to the screen. "Penalty for my guys." 118 minutes in. Kylian made it 3-3, and all of a sudden, I was glowing and I was full of rage and...and...I had no idea what was going on because I was feeling a million emotions.
"Uh, Master Jean, you don't look so well..." Klee said. "Do you need a hug?"
"So close to completing the comeback for Kylian, he's good," Venti said, rubbing his hands.
Paimon went postal. "You stupid tone-deaf bard, take a look at what's going on with Jean right now, she's in some emotional danger!"
"Ah, no worries, she will be just...fine?" I was towering over him as the penalty shootout started. I was not even bothering to pay attention to the series. I was very fed up with Venti in so many ways, and I didn't know why. But before I could lay a hand on him, I collapsed in a heap.
"Oh no, Jean is...Jean is..." Paimon was in a panic.
"Sucrose, prepare some medication, everyone I will bring her back to her chambers," said a familiar voice.
"Diluc saves the day again," said Lumine.
"No surprise," Venti said.
Time passed. Time stood still. I opened my eyes. "What...happened?"
Diluc looked at me. "ArJEANtina did not miss a single penalty. They won.4-2."
And I had the biggest smile on my face as the tears came down.
"Master Jean!" exclaimed Klee. "Are you okay?"
"I am," I said, headpatting Klee before giving her the warmest hug I could ever give her as I looked into the distance. "I truly am. And I have never felt so happy in my life. I love you, Klee, Diluc, everyone."
"I love you too, Master Jean," she said, giggling.
"Well, all's well that ends well," Venti said. "I shall take my defeat moving forward. We made you work for it, so that will count as a win for me!" He walked into the distance and disappeared.
I think I have made a historic discovery. Argentina, or rather, ArJEANtina, will be my team in the Traveler's world from now on.
Signed,
Jean.