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There were two colors always associated with Lumine.
The first color was white . It was the color she preferred to wear on a daily basis. It had been too long ago for her to remember whether it was actually her favorite color or if it was just something she was used to— simple, neat, and elegant. She didn’t have to think too much about what color looked good on her, be it her everyday clothes or her nightwear, she naturally gravitated towards that color, or lack thereof.
White was the color of purity and innocence, the softness of clouds and the childishness of daisies. Most times this worked in her favor, knowing her appearance probably added to equations wherein she found herself being heralded as the heroine even when she was left feeling morally conflicted. Other times it worked to her disadvantage— doubts of her abilities, restrictions due to how young she looked— briefly, she wondered if things would be different if she chose to wear black instead.
White was the color of peacefulness. When she flew around Mondstadt with her wing gliders, Amber once let slip that she was like a guardian angel watching over the nation. It was quite silly in her opinion, with people like Venti, their actual Archon, and Jean, the Acting Grand Master, around, but she accepted the compliment with grace before taking off again. A glowing angel, like a beacon of hope, a savior . Was that who she was?
“Miss Lumine, we have a couple dresses for you to choose from!” one of the assistants declared, strolling in with two gowns. Immediately she found herself drawn to the one of the left, a seamless gradient of snow white, top composed of mostly sheer fabric that transcended into light grey ruffles, the train reminding her of the lengths of capes and fur pelts warriors often adorned on their shoulders. If she could point out one thing she loved most, it was the branch detailing and snowlike beadwork that gave the illusion of winter scenery. How could she forget, was white not the color of the cold as well?
She had never been, not yet, but upon seeing the garment she had immediately thought of Snezhnaya.
The more she looked at it, the more it captivated her. She could see herself feeling wonderful with it.
Before she could express this, one of the other ladies shook their head.
“Isn’t it obvious which one suits her best? It has to be the white and gold one! She’ll look like the ruler of spring fairies!”
“That’s true, better than a winter queen. The other one would just drown her, wouldn’t it?”
“Besides… isn’t the top showing too much? Miss Lumine is too youthful for something so mature!”
She did her best to mask her disappointment as the three looked at her for approval, eyes sparkling with the fantasies of a fairytale princess so clearly present in their heads, but at the end of the day it didn’t matter if it was her or them who knew best— she would just let them be.
“Is that so? I guess I’ll wear that one, then.”
Honestly she just didn’t want to hear any complaints or see any looks of disappointment aimed at her. It was easier to just agree with their whims.
As they helped her into the tulle ball gown, she belatedly realized she hadn’t even spent more than a second looking at the other dress. Well, now was a better time than any.
It was a warmer white than the winter-inspired one, scoop neckline dress with thin spaghetti straps holding up the tulle skirt sprinkled with gold constellations and fairy dust. Yes, she supposed this did suit her more , she thought to herself as she kept looking at another gown while she allowed the ladies to zip her up.
“Sit tight, Miss Lumine! We’ll now be doing your hair, make-up, and accessories!”
The second color was gold . Though she insisted her hair was more of a yellow and her eyes resembled the hue of ambers more than precious metal, it was impossible for people to see her as anything other than golden.
Frankly, it had less to do with her physical appearance and more to do with the aura she carried with her. Her arrival on Teyvat and the achievements she’d earned had warranted her the reputation of this world’s Golden Child— the Chosen One , favored by the Gods of Old and New. She was the girl who glimmered more brilliantly than any mineral or ore as she struck down her enemies.
Gold was the color of not only prosperity but generosity, for who else walked the land while being so giving, so compassionate— who else was capable of adding richness and warmth to everything they came into contact with, who illuminated others besides herself, who carried the sun atop the cusp of her hands.
Gold was the color of the stars that dotted the night sky she loved so much, that people rumored she originated from, sparkling like the speckles of dust that were scattered on her dress like a milky white galaxy.
Gold was the color of the royals, of which she was often perceived as by many across worlds, said in hushed whispers or in direct questions, be it in the form of a flirtation of genuine speculation. The tiara she was currently crowned with shone the same way, leaves of gold and jeweled flowers that made for an elegant yet extravagant wreath.
She stayed silent and still as the ladies continued to work, murmuring compliments about how beautiful she was, how she didn’t need necklaces or earrings anymore— how her natural features were more than enough to catch anyone’s attention. Were these empty compliments or the truth? She supposed it did not matter, they were simply there to do their jobs.
As was she.
She stood up, giving a little twirl for the women who assisted her in getting ready, barely paying attention as they clapped for her, proud like little girls dressing up their doll.
“Should I put the veil on?” Lumine asked, gently shifting the crown on atop her head to make its weight feel less uncomfortable.
“Nope! Let’s ask the photographer to see if he wants to use it! Let’s go to the photo location now, Miss Lumine!”
【✦🌢】
“Tilt your head downwards, move it a little to the right… a little more… yes, that’s it! Hold still!”
CLICK-SNAP!
For the most part, her clients said she was doing a good job— following directions, controlling her facial features, posing her body in the ways they thought looked best.
“Could you stare into the camera darling? Just move your eyes- exactly, just like that!”
CLICK-SNAP!
When she had first received this request she wasn’t sure what to make of it. A wedding dress model for a popular dressmaker from Fontaine? Why would they seek her out specifically?
“My master is trying to make a debut beyond our homeland, of course! Of course someone as respectable and well-known as the young miss will be excellent promotion for us!”
Honestly she was doubtful about the extent of her reach, wasn’t that just an exaggeration? Tons of nobles and the upper class of society could probably care less about her reputation. Plus, there were countless ladies who would probably suit the garments better than her, but upon hearing the price she immediately accepted.
“One more before we move on! Close your eyes, dear. Your most peaceful expression.”
CLICK-SNAP!
She sighed, before quickly fixing her lips back to a tiny smile lest the photographer scold her for it. She was always a busy body, and she’s been staying in this limited space for what must have been an hour already. Whenever she took photos with her Kamera it took her a few minutes at most— did professionals usually take this long? Then again, his Kamera was bigger and looked a lot fancier than hers...
Absentmindedly, she wondered if it was a bad omen in Teyvat as well to be seen in a wedding gown before your wedding day… not like she had a groom in the first place, nor would she have the time to settle down in the near future. Would her brother even let her?
“Alright, bring out the veil!”
Before they could try to cover her face with it, a strong gust of wind had blown the thin, sheer piece of fabric away, causing the assistants to panic and hastily decide who amongst themselves should be the one to retrieve it.
If they keep taking so long to decide, it’s just gonna get farther away .
“I’ll get it, please wait here,” Lumine said, not waiting to hear any protests as she lifted up the skirt and ran across the grass after it, careful not to dirty the gown to the best of her abilities— who knew how much it would cost her.
When the veil landed atop a meadow of flowers she sighed in relief, pleased all she would have to do was pat away any dust or dirt instead of worrying about mud or murky waters.
“There you are,” she muttered to herself, picking up the missing item from her current ensemble as she panted, taking the time to breathe some fresh air and recover her stamina before dashing off again. Well, as much as a waste of time that chase was, a part of her was relieved Barbatos’ winds decided to act up today. It was getting a little stuffy back there, and she wasn’t sure if it was just the dress.
Now that she thought about it, the winds were rather calm earlier— perhaps Venti heard her pleas somehow? Was it fate that brought her-
“Ojou-chan? What are you doing here?”
She couldn’t hide her surprise when she lifted her head to meet his eyes, and neither could he apparently. Well, she couldn’t blame him— if he, if anyone , saw a girl in a wedding dress in a flower field in the middle of nowhere he’d probably think they were a weirdo or something.
“Childe! I was running after something,” she explained, lifting the fabric in her hands up so he could see, “wait, why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be back in Snezhnaya?”
He didn’t answer, merely kneeling down on the ground to lower himself to her height.
“Oh? A runaway bride?”
He was teasing, he must’ve been by the lilt of his voice and the quirk of his lips, but she found herself wanting to avert her eyes from his darkened eyes, still lacking any gleam but somehow more intriguing than usual, like the abyss trying to suck her in.
“Now just who are you running away from, princess ?
Who’s the groom I’m stealing you away from? ”
Despite her wordlessness, she sputtered at just about everything he said. What… just what was he trying to imply here? She would’ve told him if there was someone el… no, even if there was, that wasn’t even any of his business?
“I’m just modelling for a commission is all,” the blonde mumbled, feeling her veil slip from her fingertips, “there’s no groom, and I’m not even much of a bride in the first place.”
“Of course you’re not,” he mumbled, more softly spoken than she’d ever heard him before as he lifted his hands to hover atop her head, lifting up the tiara and taking off the golden wreath as the thin bridal piece finally rested atop her blonde hair.
“Now you are.”
“The veil’s gonna fly away, Childe.”
“Then let me hold it for you,” he grabbed the two opposite sides of the fabric, holding it together by her chin with one hand. She had half the mind to tell him off for his mishandling, it was expensive after all, but she didn’t bother removing his hand… he would probably be willing to pay for any tear and wear anyway.
“What about now?” he asked, not so subtly moving closer to her. Since when had she gone from crouching on the grass to sitting down on it?
“... I would never get married in this, you know.”
With narrowed eyes he looked her up and down, thoughtful in his gaze as he hummed. “You look beautiful,” even as he barely got the words out of his mouth she had immediately flushed, the hue overpowering the minimal make-up on her face, wondering how serious… no, why he was being so serious, “it looks like it was stitched for you alone, but there’s something about it you don’t like.”
“Maybe I just wanted to change my vibe. Due to, um, Dragonspine , I’ve been into snow and ice and winter lately,” well that was the lightest way to explain her honestly not so warranted aversion towards the gown she wore now.
But who was she kidding? That Harbinger wasn’t so obtuse to believe that, and she believed he would be able to recall that she hated staying in Dragonspine for too long
“Is that really it, or are you clinging to it not because you think it represents you but because you’re attracted to it, to what it represents?”
Oh, well, he wasn’t the subtlest of people either, so perhaps they were on the same boat.
He wasn’t wrong, though he had not seen it he would probably say the same thing— that other dress wasn’t very her either, but she had wanted to try it because of-
“Then what do you suggest?”
One beat, two beats, and then,
“... there’s a seaside village called Morepesok,” Childe began slowly, “it’s a place between and with cool and warm, times where you’ll be buried by piles of snow and times where the growing flowers kiss your feet.”
Morepesok? Was that not where he and Teucer-
“Ajax, what…?”
“A wedding by the sea, have you ever thought of it?”
No, never, but because of the images he’d planted in her head, now she was. Strangely enough, the more she thought about it, the more she found herself liking the idea. It was neither spring nor winter, but rather reminiscent of summer. Regardless of location, summers were bound to be hot weren’t they? And it wouldn’t make sense with the scenery to wear something over the top and cover up by the shore.
“A light and flowy wedding dress… you can fight easier in that, too. I think I’d like that,” as soon as she replied Ajax started to laugh, his shoulders quivering slightly with the motion. Funnily enough, she knew exactly why he was reacting like that, and quietly she followed suit.
“Fight easier? In a wedding? Ojou-chan you… really are a woman after my own heart,” he said, almost like he was resigned to his fate, “I, of course, would still find a way to hide a weapon or two somewhere, or maybe just my vision. My Hydro would be awfully stronger next to the sea, don’t you think?”
“Saltwater would probably hurt more, too. Have you tried fighting with it before?”
Though he chuckled at her response again, her question remained unanswered. Instead his hand slipped from the veil, and while Lumine acted quickly and stilled any movement with the palm of her hand pressed to the back of her head, she watched with wide eyes as the ginger in front of her began slipping off his ring.
“A veil and a dress… now all you need is…”
“A… ring?” she finished unsurely as she felt her free hand being lifted up by his. She could feel the heat from her ears creep lower and lower to her cheeks and neck, and she knew she would’ve made a stark contrast from the white of her bridal attire. She could only be glad that he was too focused on delicately stroking her ring finger, or specifically the place where the metal band would wrap itself around.
“A groom to give you a ring,” as soon as he uttered those words he, slowly but surely, began slipping the ring on her. It was a little too big, silver and contrasting the gold splattered all over her… but it felt right.
CLICK-SNAP!
The sudden noise had both of them yelping, simultaneously looking at the direction of the flash that interrupted their, for a lack of a better word in Lumine’s case, moment .
“Ooh, Miss Lumine and her lover? Très magnifique! This would make for a beautiful photo! The field of flowers? The contrast between light and dark clothing? The raw emotion? Sir, would you consider being Miss Lumine’s groom?”
With barely restrained laughter she watched the Harbinger explain to the best of his abilities why it would probably be a bad idea to be seen on an advertisement, especially with the heroine of the nation.
Not that she had any plans of getting married soon but… a visit to a seaside village would be nice.