Chapter Text
Barbara was no stranger to Liyue. She'd accompany Aether through his various adventures and Barbara would find herself in the city whenever Aether needed to claim his commissions or so. Despite being in Liyue a few times, she never fully understood the place, only a vague location of where everyone and everything was. From the Bubu Pharmacy with the adorable little pharmacist on the counter to the bustling harbor with new ships coming in each day. But Barbara didn't really care, her business was in Mondstadt and Monstadt only.
That is until Lantern Rite came around.
If you've been in Teyvat for more than a year you've probably already heard of it. It's your standard run of the mill festival with food, games, and all that stuff you'd expect to see in a festival. Barbara never really attended Lantern Rite, but it was getting kinda boring for her in Mondstadt. She wanted some time for herself, besides, the Adventurer's Guild can take care of Bennett. Plus, she won't be able to deal with Albert of her other fans that won't leave her alone.
Though she can't just leave Monstadt all willy nilly, she went ahead to ask permission from Jean first.
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Barbara knocked on the door three times before she let herself in.
"Jean?"
"Oh, Barbara? Did you forget something?" Jean said, sifting through what looks like another mountain top of paperwork, she really needs to get some rest, or at least some help.
"I was just wondering if I could go to the Lantern Rite in Liyue this week?" Barbara gulped, she was already expecting a "No" from Jean.
"Oh sure. Will you be accompanying somebody?" Jean asked.
Huh, way to go, Barbs, Jean gave you permission.
"Oh, umm... I'll be joining with Aether."
"The Honorary Knight? If I hadn't known any better I'd think you were going out with him."
Jean chuckled to herself. The slight smile quickly turned into a frown as she flipped her papers.
"Jeaan, you know as a deaconess I can't just go out with somebody, even if it is the Honorary Knight."
"Don't worry, I'm just messing with you. Well I won't be stalling you any sooner, you two have fun now."
Barbara was about to reach for the doorknob as Jean called her out to say one more thing.
"Oh! Don't forget to bring Mora and... Stay safe please, Barbara?"
A short but heavy silence fell upon the office.
" ..."
"I will. Thanks, Jean"
And with that, Barbara sees herself out of the Favonius headquarters.
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The event was just happening this Friday, it was Wednesday, not that she needed to, but it was more than enough to make preparations. She didn't really need to plan the trip there considering she can just use the Adventurer's waypoints scattered across the continent. A bit unfortunate for people who aren't adventurers themselves that can't use the waypoints if they're not in the guild. But that didn't really matter, Barbara had more important things to worry about.
Barbs already had more than enough mora to celebrate an event like this, she had church donations and the mora Aether had given her in the time they spent levelling up and ascending her talents and whatnot. Of course she couldn't bring herself to use the church donations for personal matters (although Rosaria has been caught by Barbara a few times stealing a bit of pocket money from the donation box to buy drinks. She should really put a bigger lock on that.).
Barbara then spots the person she's looking for as she wanders the plaza, you can't mistake the long braided hair and the lights on his hands and legs.
Yep, it's Aether.
"Honorary Knight!" She yelled at him.
The little goofy lookin' fairy thing known as "Food" also known as "Emergency Food" also known as "Paimon" turned herself to look at whoever it was calling out her companion's title.
"Oh hey, it's Barbara! Hey there!" the little thing waved at her, Barbara waved back.
"Oh hey, it's Barbara, He-"
"I already said that" Paimon cut him off sounding rather offended.
"Shut up." he says.
"So anyways, what brings you here, Barbs?"
"Oh, I was just going to ask you about something."
"If, that's the case then we should sit down at a table first, I just finished ordering."
The two then scurried off to find a table at Good Hunter, which the place never found itself running short of tables despite having a total number of 4.
"So what was it that you wanted to ask me about?" Aether spoke as he dragged a chair to sit down in.
"Well, I'm sure you've already heard of the Lantern Rite in Liyue, right?"
"Yeah, what about it? You want to come with me?"
"Yes I would very much appreciate to come with you."
"Well if that's the case then sure, did you ask Jean if you could go before you asked me?"
"Yes I did, she agreed to have me go as long as I have company."
"So you asked me?"
"...Yes." Barbara said as she slightly blushes.
"Ah, well no shame in that I suppose. You can come with me then"
Barbara's eyes sparkled as Aether says she can come with him.
"Do you have eno-" Aether is interrupted as Paimon brings him their meal. Two Pile Em' Ups.
"Ah, Thanks, Paimon"
"Don't sweat it! Now c'mon, let's eat!"
Barbara can only watch in awe as the fairy gorges down on the pile of steaks in front of her. Geez, what else can this toddler do?.
"Oh, sorry I wasn't able to order for all of us, you can have some of mine if you want." Aether being as generous as ever.
"Ah that's nice of you to offer, but I'm not hungry" Barbara politely refused.
"Well suit yourself then."
"Oh, back to where we were, you have enough money for the festival, no?"
"Yes I have enough, considering how much you've given to me."
Aether can't help but feel sort of embarrassed by that.
"So, Friday?"
"Mhm, see you at the Wangshu Inn?"
"You bet, thanks again Aether." As she sits up to leave the table.
"Don't mention it Barbs, if it weren't for you I would have been dead a long time ago."
"Oh geez, you know you don't have to say that in a casual conversation right?"
"Heh, sorry. Well, see you then!" Aether then waves at Barbara one last time before she waves and leaves.
As she leaves she can hear Aether vaguely saying:
"What the fuck Paimon, you already finished your food?!" and a faint "Ehe".
Barbara couldn't help herself but giggle as she climbs up towards the cathedral.