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"Traveler, remind Paimon why we're here again?" Paimon questioned while taking another bite of her tri-colored dango. Traveler chuckled,"Because Ei invited us over to hang out again.At least that's what Yae Miko said." Aether could already remember the teasing voice Miko gave when mentioning how Ei got a bit lonely and requested the traveling duo to give her company. Paimon ate the last bit of her treat before smiling at the traveler, "Hopefully she'll feel better when she sees we’re bringing her snacks!” As they make their way up the stairs of Tenshukaku, 2 Tenryou Commissioners stop them."Traveler,Paimon, what business do you have here?" "Well, the traveler got a message from Yae Miko that the Shogun wanted to see him,and wherever he goes Paimon goes," Paimon cheers with pride. Before any more words could be said, a light-hearted giggle is heard from behind the guards.
"It is true. Wherever our dear traveler goes,his little friend is always there to happily float alongside him.It's one of the many things that makes them unique," Ei smiles at the group.”Well,don’t just stand there,let them by.We have much to talk about,”Ei said cheerfully.”Apologies All Mighty Shogun,”the commissioners parted so the duo could walk by and join the Electro Archon at her side.Ei walked in a peaceful stride,Aether and Paimon having to speed up a little to keep up.Upon entering Tenshukaku,the scent of something incredibly sweet hit Paimon’s nose.”What is that wonderful smell,Ei?” Ei smiled at Paimon and the Traveler,”Oh,it’s just a little something I’ve prepared for you two.Well,I didn’t prepare it,I had it ordered.You know how much I dislike cooking.” Aether chuckled,”What a coincidence,we brought desserts,too!” Ei’s eyes lit up and quickly turned towards the Traveler,just then noticing the bag in his hand.As he handed it to her,she eagerly unwrapped all of the goodies that were trapped inside.”Oh! Enough standing around here,” Ei suddenly exclaimed,”let’s sit and eat!”
After a while of enjoying desserts and chatting about anything and everything,Paimon finally asked a question that had been bothering her all afternoon.”Hey Ei,not that it’s not nice to see you so cheerful,but this is kind of…odd? I mean,you’re normally all like ‘I need to keep a land of eternity’ and ‘keeping Inazuma safe is the number 1 priority’.I guess what I’m asking is,did anything super cool happen?” Aether,wanting to know as well,put down his glass of dango milk.Ei looked to the doors of Tenshukaku for only a moment before looking at the two,smiling sweetly,”After our final battle in the Plane of Euthymia and Miko retelling me some events that have occurred while I was away,I knew that perhaps my judgment of eternity needed to be fixed a bit.Then,after our outing around local Inazuma,I was absolutely positive I needed to open my eyes to not just Inazuma’s people,but the Inazuma around me.I started going outside more,going on private walks and really taking in my surroundings.I began to feel more peaceful on these walks,and I realized that without your help,I would be in a much different position than this.I just,wanted to thank you two,” Ei grinned as she spoke the last sentence.
Paimon had tears poking at her eyes,”Aw,Ei,that’s so sweet!”She suddenly rushed over to an unsuspecting Ei and hugged her tightly.Ei,now surprised and not knowing what to do,turned to the traveler for guidance.Aether just sighed,a small grin forming at his lips as he scooted over to hug the Electro Archon’s side.She finally gave in and returned their hugs,her gentle embrace calming the traveling duo.They pulled away after a few seconds and Aether simpered at Ei,”I never would’ve expected ‘The Almighty and Powerful Shogun’ could have such a caring and sweet side.”Ei blushed furiously at that,turning her head to the side,stuttering her next words,”I-I thought that’s what friends do for each other! Treat each other with nice gifts to show one’s gratitude for the other!”The deity peeked her previously closed eye open and saw the Traveler and Paimon grinning ear to ear.At the same time they shouted,”We’re your friends?!”This caused Ei to blush even more,if that was even possible.
Before she could get her next words out,there was a knock at the door.
``My deepest apologies,Almighty Shogun,but Guuji Yae would like to speak with you,” a clearly nervous Tenryou Commissioner stated.Ei cocked her brow,”She was aware I was busy and had plans today,are you sure it cannot wait awhile longer?” The man at the door stammered out “Guuji Yae said it was an urgent matter and to get you immediately.”Ei sighed,”Alright I’ll be out in a minute,”the commissioner shut the door,”I bet it isn’t even urgent.Miko simply wants to play games with me.”As Ei began to rise,she muttered a quick,”Why do I even indulge in her tricks?” Aether and Paimon giggled as they stood up.Ei turned to them and smiled a pleased grin at the two,”Thank you for joining me today.I had been planning to visit you for some time now,I just never knew when the time would be right.”Paimon bent back down to grab any extra snacks that weren’t eaten,scooping them back into their bag.”No problem Ei! It was really nice to see how you were doing! Thanks for all of the delicious snacks,too!” As the three of them walked towards the door,Aether looked at the Raiden Shogun with a soft expression,”If you ever need to talk with anyone,I’ll be there to listen.Maybe I can even help further your path of eternity.”Ei returned the kind face,telling the traveler he could do the same.
As they said their last goodbyes and parted ways,Paimon pulled out a small letter from the traveler’s pocket,”So…next stop is Mondstat? I really hope that tone-deaf bard won’t try and convince us to go drinking with him.Paimon doesn’t want to waste any mora on him!”Aether laughed at Paimon’s words,”Relax Paimon,it’s clear that Venti wants to have a relaxing day with us.If we were there for Ei,we can be there for Venti,too.” “Oh alright,but no drinking!” Paimon shouted.
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“So,how was your lovely date with the Traveler?” Yae Miko teased as she redid Ei’s braid.”For the last time Miko,it was not a date.I as an Archon not only have no need for a significant other,but also no purpose of having one.Humans will die out far quickly than Gods will.It’s just not possible for me to ‘date’,”Ei stated sharply. Guuji Yae only sighed,finishing up her work with a smirk,”No need to get so offensive,I’m only a little jealous you got to spend a whole day with him.” Miko laughed teasingly as she narrowly missed a swing from Ei.”Just drop it! I knew you summoned me only to tease me,but you’re forgetting something quite crucial about our ‘date’.”
“Oh,and what would that be?”
Ei smirked,"Paimon was there,too.”