Chapter Text
As Lisa put it, Amber was a young girl who quickly became a strong young lady in nearly no time at all. Her energetic and optimistic spark is always brought into the work she did every day. It brings a smile to most, of course, but if presented at the wrong time…
It wouldn't exactly serve her well.
The sunset was approaching, and it wasn't very safe to venture out into the wild. But did that stop the Outrider of the Knights of Favonius? Of course not. Earlier that day, she had gotten a report from Draff that hilichurl camps were blocking some paths in the wild that people were using for traveling, hunting, and so on. Luckily, even though there were quite a few, they were reasonably easy to take down, other than the occasional abyss mage.
Amber drew back her crossbow, taking out the last camp. She lowered her bow, satisfied, though not long before she heard careful rustling from the trees. Whoever was there, they were hiding on purpose. " Hello? " Amber called out towards the rustling, "It's very dark. You shouldn't be out here." Nothing. "Hey, I took out all the abyss mages, and Mondstadt isn't too far-" She let out a gasp as she was caught off guard. The brunette had her back pressed up against the tree and a golden-laced sword inches away from her neck. She let out a small squeak, looking up at the girl with her eyes furrowed, watching Amber's every move. "..away."
They stared into each other's eyes, the tension becoming a bit more awkward than intense. But, of course, Amber was still nervous. A small bead of sweat fell down the side of her face, flicking her wrist and her bow retracting to her back. "See? No weapon." The girl, in return, released her grip and whisked her sword away. "Were you worried I'd hurt you?" The girl stared, her expression unreadable.
"Er," Amber started, trying to keep calm, "...A little." The brunette giggled anxiously, on edge.
Amber stood up straight, letting out a small gasp in realization. "B-but wait! What are you doing here? It's dangerous out at night! You could get seriously hurt..!"
Lumine stepped back nonchalantly, placing one hand on her hip as the other patted down her white dress. "..I could say the same for you, bunny girl."
Amber's cheeks blushed a shade of pink. Bunny..?! Was that a reference to her headband? Even so, she puffed her chest out slightly, yet proudly. "I'm Amber, Outrider of the Knights of Favonius! I'm on patrol!"
"A brave endeavor, I'm sure." Lumine mocked lightheartedly.
"Hey, this is a very serious job!" Amber huffed, crossing her arms.
"Alright, alright, I'm joking. Nice to meet you, Amber. Did-"
"And what's your name?" Amber raised a brow in suspicion. This girl was trying to distract her!
"Lumine," Her empty frown slightly rose into a smile, or at least it seemed. Amber fidgeted and looked to the side. "Did you, by any chance, happen to want just to chat?" Amber figured, since she was out here, she could keep an eye on the newfound stranger.
Lumine thought for a second. "...Sure."
The two started walking along the path as Amber began talking about herself modestly. The Outrider spoke about her family, how much she loved Mondstadt, and how hard the knights worked - Aside from Kaeya, who was just lazy in every way. While she fumbled over what to say, she noticed that Lumine didn't waver the slightest bit. Instead, the girl was quiet, listening intently.
"..Is there something wrong?"
Lumine paused, though her walking pace stayed the same. "You just sound lovely, like someone I used to travel with." Amber watched as Lumine looked up wistfully. "Oh? Anyone specific?"
"That's a story for another time." Lumine smiled. Her smile was so genuine; Amber couldn't help but smile right back.
"Well, I guess I can wait. You seem pretty interesting." The girl looked at her with a gaze that was both expecting and confident. Somewhere, deep inside...It made her heart flutter.
A hopeful smile came from Lumine. "You too."
The two continued in an awkward yet pleasant conversation. Lumine asked about the city of freedom, somewhat closely, too.
A little... too close.
But the questions were so politely asked, and she was just so cute and friendly. So it's not like she could turn her down.
"..ber?"
"A-ah, sorry! What is it?"
"I may have to depart soon."
"Ah...So soon?"
"Yeah, terribly sorry. Maybe you should head back, too," Lumine turned away, heading out between the sizable gap between two trees.
"Wait!" Amber called out, swinging around the trunk of the tree as her eyes fixated on the blonde that paused in her tracks.
"Yes?" Lumine turned back, staring very intently. Amber fiddled with her sleeve nervously, "Will I see you again, miss?"
The silence had thickened after the words left her mouth, making Amber flush with embarrassment. "B-but, I'm sure tha-" She was cut off when Lumine gripped her shoulder tightly - Not enough to hurt, however. The girl leaned in and whispered, "We may meet at dusk's fall tomorrow, but I won't return if you don't arrive by night."
Amber's mouth gaped slightly as Lumine continued, "That is, under one condition."
"What's that?"
Lumine stepped forward and brought her closer to her. She smelled faintly of flowers, and her eyes shimmered with stars. "If you could do me a favor. Promise me, if you will- Do not tell anyone of this or any future meetings. Understand?"
Amber gulped, nodding her head. "Y-yep!"
Lumine grinned, turning away, "Great. You should really head back now, bunny."
She let out a breath she wasn't aware she was holding, "Hey, m-my name's Amber!"
Amber sighed contentedly before pausing, going over what she had just agreed to. "Ah! Oh my gosh, did I- That sly little fox!" She crossed her arms angrily and huffed, knowing she'd have to keep that promise wholeheartedly.
The pair continued on their separate ways. But both of them knew that those might have just been the first steps to something bigger, whether it was for the better, or the worse.
Amber shot an arrow to the target before watching the sun slowly settle. "..Ah!" She fixed up her jacket and rushed over to the secluded area not too far from Wolvendom.
She scouted around, almost positive that a dirty blonde had ditched her before a finger poked the back of her neck. "Boo." She jumped as she turned around, finding herself staring at a grinning Lumine.
"For a knight, you are quite easy to catch off guard, Miss Amber."
"Lumine!"
"All in good fun. Besides, you need to practice if you were actually to get hurt, right?"
Amber punched the girl in the shoulder lighter than intended. "I know, just..don't do that again!"
"Or what?"
"Or I won't go through with the plan I have for tonight."
"Ooh, so it's a plan now? Apologies, humble outrider, please do show me the way." Amber let out a snort. This Lumine was much more lively and laid back than the one from yesterday. Perhaps it was a good day for her?
"Alright, follow me."
Lumine led the way through the woods at a jog, her hair bouncing slightly as they walked. The sun had fallen some time ago, and the moon had started to rise. It was a beautiful sight, and they stopped to watch the stars peek in between the leaves for a second. Then, they continued before Lumine turned to stare at her. Amber, however, didn't seem to notice and reached down into a bush. "Ah, look, here are some wolfhooks! Personally, I don't like them- Especially in cold wolfhook juice, yuck!"
The girl wrinkled her nose in disdain. Lumine gazed at her for a moment before laughing in amusement. "So picky." She shook her head softly and began to hum a tune. Amber stared, her ears soothing.
"..Where'd you learn that song?"
"..From my traveling companion," Lumine opened an eye to look at Amber.
"Oh, right!" Amber perked up diligently. "You said you'd tell me about your travel buddy! So where'd you travel anyways?"
Lumine glanced over, sighing and sitting on the log, patting the empty area beside her.
Amber sat down, watching as Lumine rose her head upwards. "My brother. Twin brother, he's older than I. We have..traveled farther than Teyvat, farther than I can even begin to fathom."
Amber had a moment of silence. "Whaaat? Really?" Farther than Teyvat? That's... pretty far.
Lumine nodded slowly, "Yes."
"How?"
"Why, Amber," She'd tease, "That is quite rude of you."
"I mean, how'd you even get from there to here, then?"
Lumine would close her eyes, a faraway look in them. "With the wind at my back and the sun to my side, we scaled the tallest mountains, swam the deepest rivers, escaped most of the large predators and traps we found." She'd chuckle.
"Wow, that's so cool! If that's the case- ” The outrider paused. “W-well, that's kind of a rude question to..."
Lumine shrugged, "Shoot your shot."
"How old are you?"
Lumine’s mouth crept into a small grin. "I don't know."
“ Excuse me? ”
Amber giggled, her cheeks all sore. She was smiling all the way back home and when she got to bed. "Jeez, the pain bites back, alright..."
Lisa folded her hands together as she walked behind Amber, "Oh?"
Amber squeaked, jumping. "M-miss Lisa! So sorry!"
"No worries, dear. I couldn't help but notice you mention something about being...sore," She smiled gently, watching as the girl's cheeks turned a faint pink.
"N..no, no, you've- You've got it all wrong! Not that your opinion is wrong, I just- I wasn't-"
Lisa giggled, "Don't fret. I'm sure there are valid reasons why you came back so late last night." She laughed as the girl shot her a dirty look. Lisa smiled gently as she looked at her friend, "That being said, is there anything you'd like to tell me?"
Amber grumbled, "No!" and quickly paced out of the hallway, knowing full well that Lisa was still smiling behind her.
"Good to know!"
The girl groaned softly, laying her head against the cool stone wall. However, she couldn’t deny that she would have to change her sleep schedule a bit due to a certain blonde. Darn.