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Liyue Harbor falls into a slumber when the moon has almost reached its peak upon the dark skies. Even the most prosperous need their rest, a reprieve from the seemingly ceaseless bustle that flows in and out of the port city. The only sign of activity in the night is of the patrolling Millelith, ever-dutifully ensuring the citizens' safety, accompanied by the amber-colored glow of the lights illuminating Feiyun Slope and along the streets. The arrival of the lull is welcome, a moment of peace before dawn breaks and stirring once again the liveliness that is associated with Liyue Harbor, and Lumine exhales as she watches from the balcony of the inn.
Perhaps she is the only one still awake at this moment.
The moon shines above the clear sky, dappled with thousands of stars, though its presence is a scolding reminder that she is alert when the entire nation is resting. It is during nights like this that Lumine is unable to sleep, her mind far too occupied and ricocheting to let her fall into the lull that has embraced the continent: thoughts and images of her brother, the countless what-ifs and should-haves that she has stifled in the depths of her subconscious rising to the surface, the longing and hopelessness gripping her lungs and crushing it. This is the longest Lumine has been separated from Aether, their presence always complementing the other, always a whole and never just a half. There is a gaping hole where he always stands by her side – the spot that has always been Aether’s ever since she could remember, his absence felt during moments of joy and anything significant.
Lumine glances over her shoulder. Paimon snores soundly on the plush bed, one of the cherished amenities of the luxurious inn that has graciously bestowed them free accommodations whenever they are in the port city. It is one of the gifts of gratitude that the Liyue Qixing insisted on imparting the two travelers for their efforts, the offer difficult to turn down with the knowledge of their frequent sojourns between Mondstadt and Liyue. An inn is much preferable, she admits, safer and calmer than camping in the wilderness of Mt. Tianheng – the decision one that Paimon welcomed with excitement. The sight of her companion sleeping peacefully prompts a smile to tug on Lumine’s face, her steps careful and quiet as she tiptoes past the bed, as she murmurs in a soft voice.
“I’ll be back.”
The usually congested streets of Liyue Harbor are peaceful, the sound of Lumine’s footsteps much louder than they seem on the pavement when she emerges from the inn. She nods at the passing Millelith to acknowledge their presence, the gesture returned with a salute before she begins her aimless stroll around the familiar intersections. Lumine’s footsteps take her from the warm lights illuminating Feiyun Slope's boulevard and past the merchant area and the wharf, the sound of the waves leisurely lapping against the pier her only companion during her solitary sojourn. The sight is the same when she arrives at Chihu Rock, its arteries devoid of its usual crowd, and she lets out a soft sigh at the empty sight and its resulting solitude.
With just a single breath, Lumine can already envision Aether pulling on her arm towards the direction of the street food stalls, his eyes twinkling with hunger and fascination at the savory aroma. He’s always been the one whose eyes possessed a hearty appetite compared to his stomach, eagerly pulling out his money pouch to purchase any piping hot delicacies that caught his eyes and nose. Anything Aether would be unable to finish would then be shoved towards Lumine’s direction for her to finish to be able to get their money’s worth, followed by a scolding about his tendency to eat with his eyes.
She can’t help but smile to herself at the memory just as she passes by Wanmin Restaurant’s lightless establishment. The recollection is one she has seen unfold many times throughout their journeys across different worlds. Despite being the older of the twins, Aether had –
The thought instantly fizzles like a candlewick, and her footsteps come to a stop, the bloom of nostalgia drowned by a wave of apprehension, and Lumine’s frame grows tense. A shadow slips into the nearby alley, suspicion budding as her brows furrow. It is far too late for any citizen of Liyue to be out in the streets aside from the Millelith, yet it is unusual for a patrol to keep themselves hidden while making their rounds. It is never best to engage in battle alone, especially in the darkness and within the city, the likelihood of collateral damage far too high, but a part of her refuses to turn a blind eye.
(“Being too kind is going to bite you in the butt one of these days, you know?” Aether had joked once. “Not that I’ll let that happen.”)
When she approaches the alley, Lumine's steps are slow and careful, holding out her hand to prompt her sword to materialize as she observes the stranger’s movements. Her grip on the hilt tightens when the shadow comes to a stop at the end of the passage, and she leans against the wall, cautiously preparing herself while she steals a glance into the darkness. But before Lumine knows it, there is an overwhelming tidal wave of murderous intent rushing towards her, and she instantly raises her blade to parry the attack, the clash of steel ringing in her ears just as a flash of orange and blue fill her vision.
“Oh! Lumine?”
Lumine’s eyes widen. “Tartaglia?”
The Hydro blades against her sword retreat before the Eleventh Harbinger emerges into the dimly lit streets, running a hand through his already tousled hair. There is a grin breaking out across his face upon recognition, the lethal impression from earlier dissolving and his eyes twinkling in the moonlight. “What a surprise!” Tartaglia muses nonchalantly. “Didn’t think I’d ever run into you during a night like this.”
Lumine’s blade withdraws into the ethers as he approaches, the tension weighing on her easing slightly. It is never best to let her guard down around Tartaglia, the man a sheathed blade himself ready to strike at any moment. Yet there is only mirth gracing his features, his shoulders relaxed, and she decides to slightly loosen the tight coil she is holding within her.
“I didn’t think I’d run into you either,” the traveler admits, cautiously scanning his frame. “What are you doing out?”
Tartaglia’s reply is one of nonchalance. “Perhaps scheming up something for the Fatui.”
“I see. Well, I’ll leave you to it, then.”
“Ah, wait!” Tartaglia sighs with a shake of his head. “That reaction’s not fun.”
“I can’t believe you’re expecting a ‘fun’ reaction when it’s this late at night.”
He grins. “Point taken. Why are you out by yourself during this time? Where’s your little pixie friend?”
“Paimon’s sleeping,” she answers. “As for me…I can’t seem to fall asleep. What about you?”
Despite the smile that forms on Tartaglia’s lips, there is a look that flickers across his eyes for a moment, something that tugs within her. “I can’t seem to fall asleep either,” he echoes, turning his head to look at the distance. “It’s just one of those nights, unfortunately.”
The image of Aether and his beaming expression flashes in Lumine’s mind, and the longing returns, sprouting from within like a flower in the spring. Its roots dig deep, curling around her heart, and she finds herself answering in agreement. “I think so too.”
“Well then – if it’s also one of those nights for you, then do you want to keep me company?”
Lumine turns to him, a brow rising at the proposal, but the expression only prompts Tartaglia to continue. “I’m planning to go to the outskirts and watch the sea; would you like to come along? It’s quite lonesome at this time.”
She can’t help but search his eyes, the apprehension from before resurfacing. It is not recommended to take the Eleventh Harbinger's words at face value, their previous encounters more than enough warning to be mistrustful of him. Still, there is only a calm sapphire blue when her gaze meets Tartaglia’s, illuminated with specks of silver in the moonlight, and Lumine exhales.
Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to take the chance and humor him.
“Sure.”
The walk past the city gates and up the hill overlooking the main port and the sea adjacent to Liyue Harbor is quiet, uncharacteristic of Tartaglia’s usually talkative and cheery nature. Not that Lumine objected to the silence; it is much appreciated with the ongoing late hour, and the peace continues even as they sit down on the grass to observe the serene waters and the moon reflected on its surface. Tartaglia lets out an exhale, shoulders relaxing, before turning towards her.
“So,” he begins. “What’s on your mind that’s keeping you awake, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Lumine hums. “Are you asking as a Fatuus or as an acquaintance?”
Tartaglia throws his head back and lets out a hearty laugh, his eyes crinkling. “This is what I get for teasing you earlier, huh?”
“Maybe.”
He snickers before replying. “I guess you can say I’m asking as an acquaintance – a comrade, perhaps.”
“I’m not sure if we could call each other ‘comrades’ if we’re always crossing blades.”
“You worry too much about the specifics, my dear,” comments Tartaglia with an exaggerated sigh. “But I won’t press if you don’t want to talk.”
Lumine finds herself smiling slightly before turning her head to gaze at the expansive horizon and the dark waters. “I was thinking of my twin brother.”
From the corner of her eyes, the traveler catches Tartaglia whipping his head towards her direction, and she continues. “His name is Aether,” Lumine pauses as her lips automatically tug into a fond smile. “He’s the oldest between the two of us. He’s very kind and approachable; he just gets along with everybody quickly.
“I haven’t seen him in such a long time that I've lost count of how many days I’ve spent without him. This is the longest we’ve been separated; we’ve always been attached by the hip since we were born, and we’ve always done everything together.”
Lumine sighs softly, and her shoulders wilt, her gaze following the translucent cloud passing above in the sky. “I dream about him sometimes; whenever I do, he’s walking away from me, and he has his back turned. He won’t look at me even though I’m calling his name, and I'm trying to catch up to him.” She bites her lip before continuing. “And then I wake up just as he’s turning to look at me. Sometimes…I get scared that I’ve forgotten his face because we’ve been separated for so long. What if I pass by him in the streets and I don’t recognize him?”
The sound of the waves gently rolling against the shore fills in the gap when Lumine’s voice trails off, a tiny gasp escaping her when the realization blooms, embarrassment beginning to creep in. “Sorry,” she murmurs sheepishly.
“What are you sorry for?”
“It’s just…” Lumine pauses for a moment to carefully choose her words. “I don’t want to burden you with my worries.
“That’s fair. But also…remember that we’re talking as comrades right now. I’m here to listen if you want to talk.”
She can’t help but smile at his words, gratitude budding within her as she takes the permission. “Thank you, I appreciate it.”
Tartaglia nods. “Of course; we both care about our families, after all.”
“That’s true…I suppose that’s something we have in common together,” she agrees. “I guess…I’m just worried I might have forgotten what he looks like.”
The end of Lumine’s words is punctuated by silence, accentuated by the murmur of the sea, and she resumes, her fingers idly pulling at the grass. “I know what Aether looks like, and I'm confident in that – but sometimes I’m scared that I’ll wake up and…every memory I have with him will suddenly have a blank face.”
Lumine laughs sheepishly. “It’s kind of silly, but it’s just something I worry about the longer we’re separated together. I don’t think I can ever forgive myself if I ever forget everything about him; he’s like my other half, after all.”
Tartaglia lets out a soft, thoughtful hum before he speaks. “I hear you, but I don’t think you will ever forget what your twin looks like even if you try hard enough to purposely forget.”
There is a faint smile on his face when the traveler turns towards his direction, one that is cordial and assuring, and he continues, “I think if you ever see him, you’ll just know. That’s the power of family – and probably being a twin. Isn’t there a belief that twins have telepathic powers and always know what’s going on with the other?”
Lumine manages a tiny chuckle. “That’s just a myth; it’s not true.”
Still, he grins. “But in any case, the two of you are siblings; I think there’s a part of you that will recognize him without any effort. I think you underestimate the power of memory –” Tartaglia points to his head then to his chest with a playful wink. “And heart.”
The traveler raises an eyebrow. “You sound like an expert in matters involving family,” she comments.
“Of course!” Tartaglia puffs up his chest. “Especially the long-distance kind – but this assignment might be the longest I’ve been away from Snezhnaya and from my family.”
The mention prompts the image of Teucer’s cheery face to appear in Lumine’s mind, and she smiles. “No wonder Teucer missed you so much.”
The beaming smile returns to the Harbinger’s face. “Right?! He’s so adorable…I still can’t believe he snuck away to Liyue on his own…he’s growing up so fast.”
“Well…I’m not sure if that’s something to be proud of, considering how dangerous it was…”
“I know, I know. But I think he wouldn’t have been able to do that maybe a year ago; I mean, he did cry whenever I would leave for my assignments.”
“Really?”
Tartaglia gazes into the distance as he explains, “Teucer used to cry whenever I had to leave home. He would cling to my legs tightly and cause a fuss every time that Anthon had to pry him off.” He chuckles at the memory, his eyes crinkling. “But recently, he's stopped; I think it's because he's associated my departures to the souvenirs I would bring back. Nowadays, Teucer looks forward to me leaving and always reminds me to get him something. Ah…that’s kind of painful, actually.”
“I think you should stop spoiling him…You saw how that turned out.”
Tartaglia laughs guiltily. “Anyways,” he says. “Have you heard of the saying ‘the absence makes the heart grow fonder’?”
Lumine shakes her head, and he continues. “It means that the absence of someone you hold dear to you teaches you to appreciate them whenever they do come back. We take people’s presence for granted when they're around, and it reminds us to show them that we care about them whenever they’re back.”
“I see…”
“You know,” Tartaglia begins as he adjusts his position to lean back slightly, palms pressed onto the grass. “I feel that whenever I don’t see you.”
She blinks at the sudden statement, and Tartaglia smiles. “Whenever you’re not around, I always think I take your presence for granted.”
There is only a serene sea of blue in his eyes when Lumine searches for the meaning of his words within them; for a hint of impishness or a twinkle of amusement, yet there is only tranquil and something inside her twinges. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you’re the only one who can beat me in combat; everyone's a small fry, and I don’t even need to use my Foul Legacy to defeat them, you know? I always take you and your strength for granted whenever you’re gone, and we don’t have our sparring sessions.”
Lumine reaches out, her palm facing upwards, and fingers extended to form a flat shape, and she forcefully jabs Tartaglia into his side. He lets out a startled cry, and he doubles over in pain, a string of curses escaping him, and she glowers at him. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re tactless?”
Tartaglia winces as he looks up at her. “H-hey, I was just speaking the t-truth! No need to h-hit me like that, Lumine.”
She only casts him an expressionless look, turning her head to the direction of the vast ocean once more, and he heaves as he regains himself. “A-anyways,” Tartaglia manages after a moment and a tiny cough. “I think when all’s said and done, the power of heart and memory is quite potent, especially with the bond the two of you share. Just from listening to you, it sounds like it runs deep since you two have been together forever.
“I agree it’s hard to be separated from your brother; I can’t imagine what it’s like to search for him and not have any answers. But maybe there’s a little bit of a silver lining – maybe it’s a way to learn to be independent since the two of you have been together for a long time. You’ve been doing pretty good with your little pixie friend; you did make it all the way to Liyue Harbor, after all.”
The observation prompts recollections of the past to resurface from the depths. There is merit in Tartaglia’s words; Lumine’s journey across Teyvat has been extensive with remarkable experiences and sights, colorful and memorable even without Aether’s presence at her side. Of course, it is lonesome without her twin brother, yet she can’t help but admit that her feats during her expedition prompt pride to bloom: quelling two grand ancient creatures, navigating the incredible terrain of Teyvat, encounters with the fantastic yet also terrifying creatures in the wild, and of course – the wonderful people she has met.
If not for this journey, Lumine supposes she wouldn’t have met everybody and cultivated such bonds with them. She wouldn’t be acquainted with the representatives of the Knights of Favonius and Liyue Qixing, gain a deeper understanding of the world of Teyvat without Venti and Zhongli and the adepti, partake in adventures as part of the Guild. Every encounter has been memorable while she searches for Aether’s whereabouts – even the times she narrowly evades danger and the moments she finds herself crossing swords with the very man beside her.
“That’s true,” she murmurs.
Tartaglia grins, and he ruffles the top of her head, prompting her to let out a noise of protest. “I’m a fountain of wisdom, aren’t I? Even I impressed myself just now.”
“Again – completely tactless.”
“I kid, I kid,” he waves a hand dismissively, his eyes crinkling with amusement. “Ah! Say, if you don’t mind…”
Lumine's head tilts slightly to the side in curiosity, and Tartaglia continues, “he seems like a nice person, your brother. Do you wanna tell me more about what he’s like?”
She gapes at the suggestion, the surprise leaving her staring at him and blinking while he waits with his slight smile on his face. It has been a while since someone asked about Aether out of sheer curiosity, the last person being Zhongli during their excursions to prepare for the Rite of Parting. Still, she finds herself welcoming the question; Lumine closes her eyes, her favorite memory of Aether plucked from the depths of her subconscious – her brother pinning the flowers in her hair with a pleased grin on his face – and her lips part slowly.
“Aether is…like the sun. He's always smiling, and he's friendly; he likes to use that to his advantage to haggle prices. He loves to eat, but sometimes his eyes are hungrier than his stomach, so he ends up getting a stomach-ache.” She pauses to giggle to herself. “He gets along well with everybody, but he does…have a bit of a protective side sometimes.”
“Oh? Does he now?”
"Yeah. I imagine Aether would be very suspicious of you.”
Tartaglia sighs dramatically before he shakes his head. “Really? Ah, that's a bit disappointing, but I get it. That's why I beat up a few punks for calling our beautiful Tonia ‘ugly’.”
“Already getting into fights even back then, huh?”
He scoffs. “Of course; that’s what they get for making her cry.”
Lumine’s lips tug into a smile, a familiar recollection beginning to resurface. “Aether did that once when we were young. These kids – they were a bit older – were also learning how to wield a sword and they…said some mean things that I ended up crying. Aether knocked all of them out with just his training sword.”
“As expected of an older brother; that’s what happens when someone picks on our younger siblings,” laughs Tartaglia. “Is he good with his sword too?”
“He is.”
“Who’s better, you or him?”
“Hm…” Lumine pauses. “I think we’re about the same – we can take you down easily.”
“Oh?” A mischievous glint twinkles in Tartaglia’s eyes at the statement. “You sure about that, princess? I’m not the same from before, you know?”
“I’ve gotten stronger since then,” she challenges, keeping her head straight and gaze unwavering. “Even if it’s just me, I’ll take you on any time.”
Tartaglia laughs again, his head tilting back as the sound fills the cool night air, contrasting the waves' gentle rocking. “I look forward to it,” he affirms. “What else do you remember about your brother?”
The words prompt a dam to break open, one that has been holding back all the stories and recollections involving her twin brother. Lumine finds herself reciting memories of her childhood with Aether: the time they had gotten into trouble breaking a neighbor’s window in their village; the first time she had bested him during a sparring match; the incident where they had gotten lost and nearly walked into the den of a giant mammal with long canines; and the countless citizens of different worlds that vied for his fancy. Tartaglia listens patiently, occasionally reacts to something humorous or surprising, a mirthful laugh bubbling out of him every now and then, prompting her to continue.
Before she realizes it, the heaviness she has been keeping within her feels much lighter, her frame relaxing when the quiet eventually returns. As much as Lumine had cautioned herself against letting her guard down around the Harbinger, she supposes she doesn’t have any regrets. It has been a while since she let someone in and talked about Aether and her nightmares like this, the ache kept secret and obscured by friendly smiles that she has grown accustomed to wearing. Still, it feels…a bit nice to let it escape and spill out like a river merging into the sea, the apprehension and worry replaced by peace, and the traveler finds herself smiling softly.
Lumine turns to him, the question that emerges interrupting the brief tranquil. “Tartaglia?”
“Yes?”
“You mentioned that you and Teucer have other siblings, right?”
The question prompts the proud, beaming grin to return as he nods. “Yeah, there’s a few more of us.”
“Do you mind telling me more about them?”
Just like her, Tartaglia has many stories of his family, pulling out another just as one ends, reminiscent of an encounter she and Aether had with a magician and his rabbit in a distant world. He shares stories of everyday life in Snezhnaya with his family: huddled together in front of the comfort of the fireplace in their home as the frigid winter winds howl outside the window, ice fishing and taking his catch home to share, and an occasional play in the snow with his younger siblings when the weather is fair. The mention of snow and the perpetual cold prompts Lumine to involuntarily shiver, the memories of Dragonspine’s biting chill still too fresh in her memories, though Tartaglia only laughs.
“If you think Dragonspine is cold, wait till you get to Snezhnaya,” he advises nonchalantly with a wag of his finger. “If you don’t move, you will freeze to death – literally!”
“I think I’ll decline your invitation to meet your family in Snezhnaya…”
Tartaglia raises a brow as he peers at her. “What’s that? Are you going to break your pinky promise to Teucer?”
The image of the little boy reciting his favorite nursery rhyme with innocent, twinkling eyes prompts her to sigh in defeat. “…I won’t.”
He hums innocently. “I don’t know…I think we might have to renew the pinky promise on Teucer’s behalf. He would be devastated if you didn’t come to visit him in Snezhnaya as promised.”
Lumine rolls her eyes, though she sticks out her pinky finger, and Tartaglia extends his own to intertwine with hers. “I promise to keep my promise to visit Teucer in Snezhnaya.”
Tartaglia laughs once again, and something within her thinks that she has fallen for his tricks. “Wonderful! I’ll make sure to let Teucer know in my next letter bound for home.”
He continues to talk about his remaining siblings with much adoration, each word dripping with fondness and pride, shares all their preferences and habits, and recounts the mischiefs they had gotten themselves tangled in. Tartaglia tells her when he cried when Teucer lost his first tooth (“Our little baby! Losing his first tooth!” “You really need to stop spoiling him…”); when he taught Anthon to fill in for his duties at home in his absence; and Tonia flying paper birds bearing her wishes for his safe return home into the horizon and the sea beyond.
A beaming grin remains plastered on Tartaglia’s face, accompanying the twinkle in his eyes and each story he shares, and Lumine can’t help but smile when a realization blooms.
In front of her is not Tartaglia, codenamed Childe and one of the most dangerous of the Fatui; one bearing an intense lust of battle with each arrow fired and swing of his daggers. Here, he is just an ordinary older brother, sharing fond memories of his family while a massive ocean separates them for the time being.
(A tiny voice in the back of Lumine’s mind thinks that she prefers this side of him, though she decides to keep musing to herself and locks it in an imaginary ornate box.)
By the time Tartaglia is forced to pause and recall an untold story to recite, dawn is about to break, the dark skies beginning to grow lighter to make way for the ascent of the sun. He lets out a grunt as he elongates his limbs for a stretch before turning to Lumine with a lopsided smile. “We should get going,” Tartaglia suggests. “Don’t want your friend calling the Millelith on me for taking you away, yeah?”
Lumine laughs softly. “That might be a good idea.”
Liyue Harbor is slowly stirring awake by the time they descend the hill and re-enter the city; the first signs of life are the fishermen preparing to head out into the sea and the dockworkers making their way to their designated stations. Tartaglia sighs forlornly, his head turning to follow a fisherman hurrying past to the wharf, and Lumine gives him a curious look.
“Did you want to go fishing too?”
“It’s a good idea, actually,” Tartaglia nods. “Maybe one of these days when I’m idle.”
“You seem to be very busy, don’t you?”
The Harbinger flashes her a smirk before replying, “curious in the activities of the Fatui, princess? That’s not fair, you know.”
“Says the one who nearly wiped off Liyue Harbor from Teyvat's map."
“Hey – you and I know that we were both pawns in that incident.”
"If you say so.”
“Ouch, cold again, aren’t we?”
Lumine ignores him, her pace back to the inn quickening by a half step, though Tartaglia only laughs while he effortlessly continues to walk by her left. The inn’s lamps are still glowing their warm amber light against the still subdued early morning when they approach the main entrance, and she turns to him just as that slight smile of his returns to his face.
“Well then, good evening and good morning,” says Tartaglia. “I hope you can take a nap at least, considering we were talking all night."
“I’ll try,” she replies. “You as well.”
He sends a nonchalant wink towards her direction. “Don’t worry about me too much, princess. I’ll be fine.”
“You say that, but you badly injured yourself last time…”
“I’m all healed up since then, don't worry! Next time, we'll have a good spar, yeah?”
"Alright, alright,” Lumine relents, though there’s a smile already tugging on her lips.
The answer is more than satisfactory, judging by the pleased expression on Tartaglia’s face. “Oh, and if you have another sleepless night and want to talk, just come up to the same hill, and I'll most likely be there.”
She blinks upon the offer, that twinging sensation from earlier returning as she searches his eyes for a deeper meaning to his words. Yet there is only tranquility and earnestness in the Harbinger’s gaze, and Lumine slowly nods. “What if you’re not there?”
“Hm…if I somehow fall asleep and don’t show up, you can pretend I’m there.”
“That’s very helpful, thank you.”
“Hey, it was a genuine suggestion!”
“Sure, thanks.”
Lumine gives Tartaglia a wave, which he returns with a cheery one of his own, and her fingers begin to curl around the doorknob. But the realization dawns on her, prompting her to pause suddenly for a breath before turning to face him once more. She has still yet to properly thank him for listening to her worries and talk about Aether, for allowing her cherished memories to come to the surface, and for sharing his own stories about his family. It would be rude to let him depart without a sign of gratitude in exchange for his time, and Lumine bites her lip, raising her eyes to meet his.
Tartaglia gives her a curious look. “Lumine? You alright?”
Perhaps it is the exhaustion finally settling in, muddling her thoughts, but Lumine approaches him, her heartbeat beginning to quicken with each step she takes forward. Tartaglia stares, his lips starting to part as a question prepares to escape him, but he stops when she leans forward on her tiptoes to quickly plant a peck on his cheek. Heat begins to burn Lumine’s cheeks when she steps away, the Harbinger’s eyes wide and frame frozen, and embarrassment fully blooms deep within her.
“T…thank you,” she mumbles. “Thank you for listening to me tonight.”
Lumine whirls around and forcefully pulls the door open to hurry into the lobby, the blush spreading to the tips of her ears and accompanying the frantic pacing of her heart. He is a Harbinger of the Fatui, the voice inside her head scolds – a man of danger and strife, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It is never best to let her guard down around him, their previous encounters and near brush with catastrophe more than a reminder of what lies behind his saccharine smiles and pleasantries.
Still, the image of Tartaglia's eyes crinkling as he explodes into merry laughter, and his comforting words against the calm evening remain in Lumine’s head. She attempts to stifle the smile tugging on her lips when she closes the door of the suite behind her and jumps face-first into the comforts of the bed, earning a startled shriek from Paimon. The stammering of her heartbeat continues, her face burning hot, and Lumine buries her face into a pillow as her companion pokes her shoulder.
“Lumine? Are you okay?”
Lumine manages a nod and a muffled “yes” – though it is a feeble answer at best, the twinging sensation from before returning and now accompanied by a fluttering she has never felt before.
(Perhaps she’ll crawl into the Abyssal Moon Spire and live out the remainder of her embarrassment there.)