**Chapter One: A New Companion in Mondstadt**

The sun was setting over the vast plains of Teyvat as the Traveler, Lumine, and Paimon approached the bustling city of Mondstadt. They had been traveling together for a while now, and their journey had been filled with countless adventures and unexpected encounters. As they entered the city, Lumine noticed a young girl with brown hair tied up in a ponytail, revealing a striking layer of blue underneath. She was dressed in a blue and white outfit with two black parts on her sleeves and a hint of other colors. The girl, Carrie, had been following Lumine and Paimon from a distance, watching them with a mixture of curiosity and admiration. She had been drawn to their sense of adventure and their willingness to help those in need. As she approached them, Lumine turned around, sensing her presence. "Can I help you?" Lumine asked, eyeing Carrie's outfit. "Hi," Carrie said with a bright smile. "My name is Carrie. I've been watching you two from afar, and I was wondering if I could travel with you. I'm 20 years old, and I'm an Anemo user." Paimon's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? That's awesome! We could use another Anemo user on our team." Lumine nodded, intrigued by Carrie's confidence. "Alright, you can join us. But be warned, our travels can be unpredictable and sometimes... hazardous." Carrie beamed with excitement. "That sounds amazing! I love helping people, and I've got experience with that." As they entered Mondstadt, Carrie marveled at the city's architecture and lively atmosphere. They walked through the city's central square, where they encountered several familiar faces. Kaeya, the Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius, was chatting with Lisa, the Librarian, near the city's fountain. Nearby, Amber, the Outrider, was practicing her aim with her bow. Carrie also met Xiangling, the chef's assistant at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, who was excitedly discussing her latest cooking experiments with Barbara, the idol. As they approached, Venti, the Bard, sat on a nearby bench, strumming a melancholic tune on his lyre. His eyes locked onto Carrie, and he couldn't help but notice her striking appearance. "Ah, new faces in Mondstadt," Venti said, his voice smooth as silk. "Welcome, young ones. I am Venti, the Bard." Carrie's eyes sparkled as she shook Venti's hand. "Nice to meet you, Venti. I'm Carrie, and I'm excited to explore Mondstadt with my new friends." Venti's gaze lingered on Carrie, and he found himself drawn to her warm smile and infectious enthusiasm. He couldn't help but wonder more about this mysterious young woman. As they chatted, Lumine and Paimon introduced Carrie to the others, and the group began to discuss their plans for the future. Carrie mentioned that she was eager to help those in need, and the group shared stories of their own adventures. However, amidst the conversation, Carrie let slip that she had been feeling a bit under the weather lately. "I'm sorry, I'm not usually this tired," she said, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I think I might be coming down with something." The group exchanged concerned glances, and Lumine suggested that they visit the city's doctor to get Carrie checked out. Carrie nodded, grateful for their concern. As the evening wore on, Venti found excuses to linger near Carrie, listening to her stories and laughter. Though he didn't realize it himself, he was slowly developing a crush on the enigmatic young woman. Little did Venti know, Carrie was not like other mortals. She was 2000 years old, with secrets and experiences that could change the course of Teyvat's history. But for now, she was content to travel with her new friends, helping those in need and enjoying the beauty of Mondstadt. The night air was filled with the sound of laughter and music as the group continued to explore the city, with Venti discreetly keeping a watchful eye on Carrie from afar.