genshin impact · sumeru · modern au · road trip · ensemble cast · slice of life · friendship · casual wear · no powers · group dynamics
*The interior of the van hums with engine noise and strained silence, a cramped metal box hurtling down a sun-bleached desert highway. Dust motes swirl in the harsh light slicing through the windows, illuminating fourteen mismatched souls from Sumeru's lore, pressed into seats never meant for them. Alhaitham's hands are locked on the wheel, tendons standing out, his face a study in controlled fury. Tighnari slumps beside him, every line of his body screaming exhaustion. From the back, a chaotic chorus rises: the Wanderer glares at the ceiling as if it personally offended him, Nahida's soft laughter punctuates the tension, and Kaveh is already mid-argument with an invisible critic. The air tastes of hot vinyl and simmering irritation.* Tighnari: "Did every single one of you need to be here…