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Ever since her commission at the Chasm, Lumine has been not quite herself. Her eyebrows would form a frown every now and then, or she'd stay quiet for the whole day, as if she's out of reach. And Paimon is worried about her.
It's probably because of their second encounter with Dainsleif. So many things happened in the Chasm, especially when they found Khaenri'ah's national flower next to the dying hilichurls. The fragment that Lumine saw when she touched the white flower with a single blue petal, her dearest kin putting the flowers there, and she learned about what her brother plans to do.
Today, the traveler and her floating companion are strolling at the Liyue Harbor looking for souvenirs and gifts. Paimon is really excited looking at them, but not Lumine. Something is on her mind again.
She has accepted that their way to solve their problems are different, but Lumine is still worried that the path her brother chose is wrong. One percent of redemption versus ninety-nine percent of suffering and death... she wondered what kind of way that Aether chose to get achieve the kind of future with a chance of only one percent. She doesn't want her brother to suffer so much for this.
"...mine?"
"...umine?"
"LUMINE!"
"Ah!" Lumine jumped from the sudden call, she turned to paimon who's in front of her that's frowning with with her tiny hands on her waist, "What is it Paimon? You don't have to startle me like that."
"Paimon's been calling you twice already, but you didn't hear me!" Her floating companion grumbled and 'stomped' her feet on the air, "Paimon was asking if we should buy some sweets or not, but you were thinking of something again! Argh! What's in your mind these days?"
"Oh... sorry Paimon, I..." Lumine rubbed her left arm, assuring herself from the weight of her thought, "I've been worried for something these days."
"It's about your brother isn't it?" Paimon asked, her concern could be heard from her voice. They've been through something like this before, but this time the traveler has been zoning out a bit too many for this. This can't go on anymore.
Suddenly an idea have popped up in Paimon's head. Yes, maybe a certain bard could help, "You know, maybe we could ask Venti about this? We're going to Mondstat anyways, we could ask him while we're there!"
That's a great idea, the ex-Geo Archon may couldn't tell them because of his contract, but the Anemo Archon isn't bound by any contracts. He knew so much but just couldn't tell about it to them after all, maybe since they've knew more about it, he could answer some questions. Lumine finally break a smile, "You're right, we could ask him, we could ask him when we're there. Thanks Paimon."
Paimon grinned, relieved that finally her companion is back from the thoughts that clouded her. "Now, let's get back to the problem that we have right now, should we buy some sweets for Master Jean or not?"
Lumine laughs, "Yeah, we should, let's buy some rice buns"
✦ ✧
"Happy Birthday Grand Master Jean!"
Sounds of clapping and popping confetti came from all around the room. Paimon and Lumine had gathered at Angel's Share to celebrate Jean's birthday. All of the Knights of Favonius are present too, even Diluc, Eula, Barbara, Rosaria, Klee, Albedo and Venti are here to celebrate the acting Grand Master's birthday.
"Seems like we did another great job this year," Kaeya said, a grin plastered on his face.
Amber replied, "Of course we do! it's for our Grand Master, we should put our very best into it. But hey! You didn't do anything though!"
"Hehe! Klee made the confetti with Albedo! We made tiny Dodoco's! Look! Dodoco is flying everywhere!"
"Me and sister Rosaria decorate the cake, I hope you like it, sister! Rosaria is surprisingly great at this!"
"Hmph, It's no different than writing on paper."
"Thanks a lot, guys. You've all put a lot of effort into this, even Paimon and Traveler are here too, you guys must've been busy." Jean thanked everyone, the surprise probably made her teared up a bit.
"Oh it's no sweat at all, Master Jean! Besides, we didn't do anything to prepare the party at all, we just came to the Angel's Share and that's it." Paimon giggled.
"Here is our gift for you, Jean, we hope you'll like it. We also brought some rice buns for everyone," Lumine added, handing the gift to Jean and putting the rice buns at the table. Yes, the reason they were circling around Liyue Harbor a few days ago was to pick out a gift for the Grand Master, they received a letter from amber that they wanted to celebrate Jean's birthday again this year and asked if they could come to the party.
"I'm really thankful you two, I'll treasure it. Please, enjoy the party with everyone."
"We sure will!"
"Ehe! A glass of Dandelion Wine for the bard, please!" Of course it's Venti who said that, the reason Lumine and Paimon came to Mondstat aside from celebrating Jean's birthday is to ask this bard.
Lumine approached the bard that was chugging the wine. Venti greeted her, gesturing her to seat next to him, "Oh, hey traveler! You made it to the party!"
"Yeah," Lumine sat at the seat next to the bard, she played with the rim of the glass of juice that Diluc gave her just now. "Um, Venti, after this, can I have some of your time? I have something to ask of you," She continued.
Venti might've figured out what the traveler is about to ask, "Hmm? Is this another way of you wanting to take me out on a date, traveler? You could've just say so! It's a special day after all!" but he joked instead, a playful grin plastered on his face.
"What?! No! Venti, you're drunk already!" Lumine blabbered, the juice she was drinking almost got spitted out. Venti just laughed and asked for more wine to Diluc.
"Oh, I'll ask for his bill tommorrow alright." He muttered under his breath while pouring the wine behind the counter.
Lumine heard what Diluc uttered and chuckled. Maybe Venti realized how anxious she was before asking him, so he broke a joke to make make her weight on her shoulders lighter, even if it's just a little.
"Honorary Knight! Honorary Knight!" Klee adorably hops to the traveler, bringing two plates of cake that probably just got cut, "A cake for you, miss Honorary Knight!"
"Klee? Please be careful when bringing the plate to the traveler," Albedo walked after her, he was holding two plates of cake too. Albedo put the cakes in front of Diluc, "Here's a cake for you, Master Diluc. And one for you too, Venti."
Lumine helped Klee to sit next to her, so she could eat the cake at the table, "Thank you, Klee. Let's eat it together,"
"Hehe! Yes! Thank you for helping me, Miss Honorary Knight," Klee then proceeds to eat her cake, beaming at how good it tastes.
"Lumiiine! Paimon brought sticky honey roast! You want some?" Paimon floated to Lumine's way and put her plate of sticky honey roast at the counter. "You can eat them all, Paimon. I already got a cake here."
Everyone is all happy, some are talking, some are eating, and some are drinking. Lumine watched them all, thinking that if she was never separated from her brother, they could enjoy this kind of thing together.
"Miss Honorary Knight?"
"Yes, Klee?"
"You know, Klee really had fun making Dodoco confetti with brother Albedo and having this kind of party, so..." The little elf ate her last bite of the cake, then continued, "Klee wonders, when is your birthday, Miss Honorary Knight?"
That question struck the traveler, of course it was an innocent question out of goodwill, but the traveler can't help but felt uneasy about it. Even if they travelled across the universe, the twins also celebrate birthdays, they would have a party for them to celebrate together. They would have anything special from the world they are in at the moment to celebrate their birthdays with. But this time they aren't together, celebrating their birthday without her twin, she couldn't imagine that.
Lumine smiled at the little girl, "... I don't celebrate my birthday, Klee. I've already forgotten when my birthdate is," She answered.
"Lumine..." Paimon heard Klee's questions and looked at her travelling companion worriedly, she is probably thinking about her brother again.
"I'm sorry, Lumine. It's not the right thing to ask, " Albedo puts his hand on Klee's shoulder, "Come on Klee, apologize to Miss Honorary Knight,"
"I'm sorry, Miss Honorary Knight. I shouldn't have asked the question..." Klee apologized to the traveler, her eyes looked sad. "Klee thought, that we could make confetti together for your birthday party..."
"It's alright, Albedo. Klee was just curious. Klee, if you want, we could make Dodoco confetti for you birthday together, with Albedo and Paimon too, what do you say?" Lumine gestured the confetti falling with her fingers, trying to cheer the little girl up. Klee bought her effort and agreed, then the little girl discussed excitedly with her brother about how her birthday party is gonna be.
The traveler and her floating companion breathed a sigh of relief. Lumine tried to smile again, reassuring herself inside her head whilst rubbing the peculiar flower on her head.
✦ ✧
The day is starting to get late, and some of the knights have started to bid goodbyes and went home. Albedo had to went home first, since it's almost Klee's bedtime. Barbara went back too, she said she have a prayer at the church early tomorrow. She tried to take Rosaria too, but it was to no avail, in the end the idol just made a promise to her sister for some shopping later on the next day.
There's not much left at the Angel's Share, it's more quiet now, the party seems to be over soon. Paimon finally ate her last bite of her mint jelly beside Lumine who still sat next to the bard.
Lumine sipped her second glass of her juice. Now the bard's too drunk to answer her question, she should wait tommorrow until Venti has sobered up. Or perhaps the fact that the bard's drunk could gave out more information to her?
Venti hummed, "Say, traveler? Do you mind accompany me to get some fresh air? Your floating companion can come too," Oh, he's not that drunk after all.
The bard, the traveler, and her floating companion take a walk out of The City of Mondstat. The night breeze cools them down from the chaotic party at the bar. Despite warm temperature this evening, the night was much cooler. They walked until they arrived at the giant oak tree in Windrise. The flowers around are still blooming, but not as much as a few months ago.
Venti walked in front of them to the oak tree, his back facing them. The bard enjoyed the gentle wind for a while, then broke out the silence, "So... I guess the question you want to ask me is regarding your brother?"
The Anemo Archon turned back to face the traveler in white and her floating friend. The moonlight shines upon him, making him looking like a real archon with the glow. Lumine almost gasped at the view, but she focused back on her true objective to came here. She replied with a firm "yes".
The archon gazed at the traveler, "You know that I don't know about the whereabouts of your brother, or perhaps it's about the flower on your head, inteyvat?"
Lumine's eyes widened at the Archon's words. Venti knew that something was off about this traveler ever since he saw her came to the Acting Grand Master's birthday. Then he happened to saw her touching the unique flower on her head after getting asked about her birthday, he made out the gist of it. And of course he knew about the said flower's name, he has seen it way before he met her in its original place after all, and he also one of the many who destroyed the country of the flower.
"I assume you've learned about that flower, did your brother gave it to you?"
The traveler's hand made up it's way to the flowers on her head again, her eyes meet the bard's. She took a deep breath and told him what happened, she told him that she found the inteyvat when exploring the chasm, she saw a fragment of the past when the said flower was put. She told him that she didn't agree with the path her brother took, and she was afraid that the path her twin took will hurt him. They're already hurting, must they get hurt more just for resurrecting an already destroyed country whose chance is just a mere one percent of success?
Venti hummed after hearing the traveler's story, "I see, so that's how it is."
The bard looks at the traveler and smiled. The traveler and her companion baffled at the said bard, "Wh-Why are you smiling like that, tone-deaf Bard?!" The floating companion said.
"Ahaha! It's just, you've been doing this for so long, why are you so confused now? Since the last time you met him, wasn't the reason you still kept on journeying this world to get your brother back?"
The Archon laughed for a while, after he was done he let out a satisfied sigh, "I could've tell you about what happened five hundred years ago, but are you sure you don't want to learn about it on your own? What I say could be different from the actual truth. Just do what you've been doing for all this time and you could save him from the danger, no?"
Venti was right, the only thing that she could do is just keep on discovering the world. Her twin was waiting for her regardless. Just don't give up and never waver from her reason journeying the world and she could save him. She will meet her brother at the end of this, after knowing the truth of everything.
...But, what made her feeling so uneasy? Even after consulting with the Anemo Archon, why does the lump in her heart didn't go away?
The wind blows out a gentle breath, the moonlight was bright, illuminating the three figures standing below. Venti can see clearly the anxious face the traveler made, "Aha... I see you're still feeling discontent."
"I reckon you to take a deep breath and think about it again, my dear traveler,"
Come to think of it, perhaps the reason why she had a lot in her mind since her commission in the chasm, the reason why she spaced out when choosing presents for Jean, the reason why she felt upset and lied about her birthday to Klee...
Ding. The bell on the church rings, signalling it's the beginning of a new day.
Yes, it was around this time too, on such a day when the flowers are still blooming, but the weather also felt a bit hot. The transition between the blooming season and summer.
The wind blows yet again, but this time it's much stronger, some leaves and petals are getting carried by the wind. Lumine holds the two flowers on her head firmly, doesn't want them to fly away with the wind. Then, she noticed something in the midst of the breeze.
It was faint, but the young traveler heard a rustle behind the Oak Tree. Lumine turned to Venti's way, who was standing in front of the giant tree.
"Lumine?" Paimon called her. The said person walked to the tree and circled around it to the back. The traveler looked around the back to find something between the grass next to the roots. Venti and Paimon followed the blonde, the find Lumine picking up a small box.
Lumine hurriedly scanned her surroundings, looking for something, or someone. But all she sees are just her floating companion and a braided bard.
She then studied the little box in her hands. The box was brown colored, with a gold ribbon tying the palm sized box. It's small, but it's a gift, and also a form of apology. Tears welled up on her eyes, she knew she couldn't meet her dearest brother now, but at the same time she wanted to spend their special day with each other.
The traveler wiped her tears and proceed to rummage her inventory, taking out a similar sized box, but this time the box is white, it was wrapped with a white cloth. The cloth was decorated with blue line at the edge, and was tied to form a flower, with a yellow gem at the middle. She always prepared something for times like this, anything she found interesting on her journey was put into the tiny box, hoping that someday she could give it in person, but maybe not for now. She put the small present on the same place she took the brown box from.
Lumine turned back to face the two behind her, a smile bloomed on her face, "Thank you, Venti. You're right, I'll just continue what I've been doing. I just have to get to the bottom of this before my brother do anything to danger himself."
"Anything for my dear traveler," Venti laughed. "How about you buy me some apples as the payment for the consultation?" The bard joked, gesturing money with his thumb and point finger.
"Hey!"
Lumine laughed, she turned to he floating companion, the one who stayed by her side since the beggining of her journey, "...and thank you too, Paimon. For guiding me through the journey. Please stay with me until the very end."
"Heheh, it's not biggie, Paimon's the best tour guide anyways! You can't find anything like Paimon anywhere else!" Paimon smiled bashfully, her tiny hand rubbed the back of her head. "It's nice to see you're back to your usual self, Lumine."
The dark sky has started to brighten, the sun is slowly rising to the horizon, Lumine turned her heels, "Let's go back to our inn, Paimon. We should get some sleep, and let's go visit Klee after that."
"Yeah, let's go. Paimon's kinda sleepy after all that eating..."
"Are you coming, Venti?" The traveler looked back to the bard that stands still, staring at the oak tree.
Venti met the traveler's eyes, he broke a gentle smile at her, "I still wanna stay here for a while, I need to sober up, heheh."
"Okay then, thank you for the advice, Venti. How about I treat you for lunch?"
"That sounds great!"
"I'll see you later, then," The youg traveler finally walked away from the giant tree with her flying companion. Her hands holding the tiny gift she just got tightly to her heart.
The bard gazed at them, "See you then, Lumine."
A soft breeze flurries through Windrise yet again, leaving the trees and bushes rustle. Some tunes could be heard from a bard's fingers. The bard hummed for a while, closing his eyes to enjoy the wind. He set his eyes at the two benevolently, for what they're going to learn are much bigger than what they've gone through. The Anemo Archon let out a sigh, closing his eyes once again, "I wish for a save journey for you and your traveling companion... I hope when you've learned the truth of this world, you will make the right decision,"
✦ ✧
The bright sun shone over Windrise, the birds are chirping through the rustles of the grass. Below the big oak tree, stands a youth with a long golden hair, braided on his back. The boy picked up a small white box sitting between the grass right in front of the great tree, slowly caressing the small trinket lovingly. He breathed out, "Happy birthday, dear sister."