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Another Mondstadt evening means another night of eerie silence (for anyone not at Angel's Share, that is). And for better or worse, the Knight of Favonius Headquarters is no exception to that rule. The rank and file members of the group have all gone home for the night- or to the bar- and even the higher members (like the Outrider, Calvary Captain, Librarian, Spindrift Knight etc.) have gone to recharge themselves for tomorrow. Betraying the silence however, headquarters still plays host to a smattering of individuals, unintentionally deterring any would-be criminals. The first is of course Acting Grandmaster Jean, still working off an hour of sleep, preparing for the next day. But another is actually Albedo, in his alchemy lab on the second floor, jotting down various notes on experiments.
The door to said lab is closed, but our third person, a very respected figure in this City of Freedom, is about to change that.
"…Come in."
Even without visibly acknowledging his guest, Albedo is quite happy to see the Honorary Knight. Everything about them is so unique and fascinating, it really gets him thinking of questions concerning Teyvat itself- though perhaps that's just a side effect of the dangerous circumstances that occur whenever the two of them work together. From dealing with the demonic Festering Desire sword to being stranded on Dragonspine, sometimes Albedo wonders if 'The Traveler' is actually a bad omen. He silently huffs with that in mind though…no, nothing went wrong during Irodori after all. After dismissing the thought, he turns around to face the blonde.
"This is a surprise. It's quite rare to see you without Paimon, Aether." Obviously, the silence of their approach already told Albedo this, but it still prompts the follow-up comment. "And here you are in my lab. People might start spreading rumors if they saw."
"Heheh." An amused look crosses his guest's face before elaborating. "Nice to see you Albedo. It's been a while."
"It has been, it's a relief to see you both in Mondstadt safe." Albedo takes a pause to really reflect on that. Worrying about a friend's safety- their very life- is always unpleasant, so reminding himself of just how skilled Aether is in combat and exploration allays the fear greatly. "Now, is there something that I might be able to assist you with?" What's great about rare circumstances is, strangely enough, one can have an easier time predicting respective actions when they crop up.
And of course, Albedo is right on the Mora as Aether leans back against a counter and speaks. "There is actually. Do you remember the night on Dragonspine with Amber, Eula, and Bennett? After the girls briefly left camp and Bennett fell asleep?"
Oddly, a nostalgic smile peeks its' way onto the alchemist's face, despite little about the respective event being objectively…pleasant. He was under suspicion by a fellow Knight while a Whopperflower masqueraded as him after all. Not something that happens everyday and definitely not a moment normal people would like to relive. …But nonetheless, it did offer valuable insight into the nature of "being", a topic Albedo finds himself routinely fascinated by. So the small grin is not entirely inappropriate.
"Of course. Journeys like those are not so easily forgotten, to say nothing of the colorful cast of individuals we had with us. Although, you mentioned that specific night…"
The trail off is quickly noted and elaborated by Aether. "Right, the night you taught Paimon and I how to paint."
Ah yes. Albedo calmly nods and cross his arms. "Hm…If I recall correctly, very little "teaching" actually occurred. Paimon was almost desperate for a portrait, but you…couldn't meet her wishes, so the responsibility fell to me." The memory of the two bickering causes the grin on his face to gain the tiniest edge of a smirk. If he knows Aether at all-
"Yeah, I did a little bit of, let's say, playing along with her." He says after rubbing his neck in mock guilt. Albedo lets out a content sigh, …somehow, these two are some of Teyvat's most powerful people. Well at least Aether is, he's never seen Paimon have to fight…
"But listen," Aether continues on. "I have a favor to ask Albedo. Can I borrow your easel and some paint for tonight? I want to try my hand at an illustration."
The eyes of the alchemist widen ever so slightly…before chuckling at this amazing situation. Here he is, the Honorary Knight and Stormterror queller himself in the dead of night without his signature companion, and he went all this way, risking a blight on that very reputation and possibly getting rumors swirling, for permission to borrow some tools from Albedo's side job.
…The mundane days truly can lead to the best surprises.
"Of course you can. Allow me to retrieve what you'll need." He says, turning his back on his guest. To the back of the lab. "What is your subject? I could offer you a few tips, if you would like them-"
"…"
It doesn't take a genius to know that something goes wrong right here, as Albedo stops talking- after all, Aether has grown silent. Puzzled by this response to what should be a simple follow-up, the Kriedeprinz stops searching and turns back towards his friend. Aether is still there, he didn't grab anything dangerous while Albedo's back was turned and left (not like Albedo would think he'd be capable of that kind of manipulation anyway), but the boy is instead staring back at him. Or, well, not at him, but into the space around him. That lone question sent his mind to who-knows-where, and he's deep in thought because of it.
Albedo doesn't have any idea why this happens., but knows his social cues and attempts to rescue the situation.
"Apologies Aether. If it's too personal to answer-"
"That's not it." The voice of his guest comes back. "I was just looking for…the right word I guess."
"Hm?" He doesn't say more, going back to get the easel, but Albedo can't help but wonder. Is this related to his trip through Sumeru? His sibling? Or something else? Mysteries upon mysteries define Aether to Albedo, and right now, what the Traveler intends to paint is yet another one to add to the pile. But this face-down can't continue without it looking (and feeling) extremely awkward, so Albedo is forced to back off and go back to fulfilling the request.
But luckily for his curiosity, Aether does find the "right word" after a minute of uncomfortable silence. It's nearly a perfect description, but its one inaccuracy almost makes him sick single-handily. Nevertheless, he needs to say it, to make Albedo less suspicious of his activities if nothing else.
Something only he can experience. Something only he'll ever know. It's real, but at the same time, it's all in his head- especially now.
"I would like to paint a dream I had."
-0-
Mondstadt may be at peace, it may be the most peaceful region Aether will ever go to in his journey, but it's surprisingly hard to do anything truly secretive inside the city's walls. If someone thinks they're alone at night, they may just find a certain Calvary Captain around the corner. If not him, then maybe a nun in distinct black garbs, or maybe the legendary Darknight Hero if they're truly "lucky",…there's quite a few folks who do their best work under the cover of darkness is the point. Aether also ruled out his teapot, for fear of waking up Paimon or Amber- he needs as much quiet as possible. Not to mention, there would be no good comment if someone were to see just what he's painting.
Questions like "Why are you painting a weird girl Aether?" and cheeky jokes like "Oooh, I'll tell Amber~" are situations he'd really rather not deal with tonight. This is supposed to be a gift, a sacred offering to someone who can't receive them…and to that end, no distractions will be allowed. He took the utmost caution when leaving the city, using the Knights of Favonius' unoccupied watchtower as a leap-off point, and gliding to the nearby wall instead of strolling out the main gate where he might be seen. From there a very nostalgic route was taken, as using land's natural incline, he flew across Cider Lake before landing at a 'beach' near Wolvendom.
Now that he was outside the view of any prying eyes, he could begin painting just about anywhere. But Aether knew better, when he needed to go back to Mondstadt tomorrow, it would take some time to loop all the way there. So after avoiding the local hillichurls in the area, the blonde traveler took a scouting route that would make Amber proud. He found the main path, went to Whispering Woods, stealthily went past any monsters as to not cause a disturbance and finally set up shop near the pier north of the forest. This trip was eating precious nighttime, but nobody found him out, and getting back before dawn would be easy from here. Especially with the power of Electro at his disposal, should he need it.
With preparations finished and the blank canvas all set up, it was time to begin this little exercise in creativity. Even though he was indeed playing around with Paimon that one time on Dragonspine, Aether doesn't kid himself- he's not a professional illustrator like Albedo. Probably on par with the likes of Xingqiu and Kazuha, he would guess. To that end, he pulls out some sketches doodled on the trip back from Sumeru for reference, and once that's decided, puts one of Albedo's bushes in indigo pigment. The sky will come first.
And for the next few hours, the only sound in the immediate vicinity come from a brush wiping against sheets. Witnesses include the stars, the moon, and the traveler-turned-painter for this endeavor. Aether takes his brushwork slow and steady, every stroke is deliberate and double-checked with his final draft. Breaks are routinely taken, courtesy of the fire he set up thanks to an old Amber method and various snacks Paimon offered him throughout their trips. But he remains hyper-focused on his work, pausing only when there's a change in the environment (most likely caused by a lone hilichurl) and resuming only when it returns to normal.
As he dips the brush in green paint again (he did specifically request for an excess of it from Albedo), Aether thinks of what his Sumeru friends would say if they saw the burgeoning artwork. Would they be able to feel anything…different? A lingering unplaceable sadness? Some kind of a distant familiarity tugging at them? Or would they just ask:
Beside Lesser Lord Kusanali…who is that?
Probably the last one, the traveler thinks to himself with a regrettable look. Nobody would know who the second figure is. Even Alhaitham with his scholarly knowledge or Nilou and her strong devotion for her Archon- and even the Archon herself- none would be able to recognize his drawing like they should. Like they would mere months ago. Instead of feeling loss, they all would just be confused and doubtful of any stories he would try to weave. Of any truth he would try to tell.
The powers of Irminsul are supreme after all. Aether witnessed that firsthand- after it wiped Greater Lord Rukkhadevata from all of existence.
He can't help but sigh as he fills in the "original" archon's hand with a pale color, said hand interlocked around Nahida's smaller fingers as Aether tries his best to convey a sense of warmth, friendship, and admiration. Technically, he has no idea of the Rukkhadevata in his illustration is even slightly accurate, as the only visual of he saw was buried beneath the desert sands when they learnt about King Desret. And now, that very mural has certainly been changed to accommodate the new reality. Just like every book and research paper, something Aether made sure of when he dragged a very-confused Paimon to the Akademyia's halls.
Meaning, the blonde thinks wearily, my painting is the first proof that she existed. The only proof, even.
It was the right thing to do, he tries to tell himself. It saved Irminsul from the corruption, it saved Collei from Eleazar and a life of hardship, heck, it might have saved Nahida in a way. The tears that fell from her crying face- wracked with regret over what was about to happen- Aether can still remember clearly… and now he's the only one that even can. So…maybe it's better this way? At the end of it, there's no way to know- he can't go back in time after all, and he has no right to call the decision a mistake anyway.
Rukkhadevata knew what she was doing, I have to believe that. Aether swallows a lump in his throat before going back for the green paint. This is all a Descender like myself can do…I wonder what her thoughts about this would be though…. Would she be honored? Embarrassed? Worried that I would use this to undo her sacrifice? Honestly, he knows there's no point in speculation; there's nothing to cross-reference his thoughts with after all, but his mind keeps tugging him back. To try and escape from that cycle, he puts his all into finishing the painting. It was very important to Aether to use bright colors, light blue for the sky, a beaming sun, and the Sumeru meadows underneath Kusanali's bare feet. Can't forget about the white and green streaks in the Archon's clothes, naturally making them look like sisters. Aether smirks at that image, reminded of his own family…
Nahida deserved this. A life free from the sages, free to do whatever she wanted, free to be with Rukkhadevata. The final touch is given…a carefree smile on the Lesser Lord, a more knowing, content one on the Greater. At least here, you'll get what you deserve…
He withdraws from the canvas, brush gently falling by his side. A satisfactory work, if he's being objective…the two gods, hand-in-hand, strolling aver a grassy hill with perfect weather overhead. Kusanali's eyes are closed, but she's looking ahead happily. And Rukkhadevata- which Aether portrayed with soft, feminine qualities and a similar color scheme- has her emerald eyes focused more on Nahida than anything else, like she's glad the new Dendro Archon is the one leading the way. There's definitively some room for improvement- some brush lines are sloppy, the colors mush together in a spot, and the grass that surrounds the Archons needs more details. But Aether knows he can't spend too much longer on this, the cover-up painting still has to be worked on after all.
After bringing the easel closer to the waning fire and successfully drying, Aether carefully encases the illustration in a special container he bought in Sumeru.
…
One last look is cast over his work. Specifically at Greater Lord Rukkhadevata…
…There's a saying Aether remembers, from one of the many worlds he's been to. Something along the lines of…"A person only truly dies when nobody remembers them."
Does that apply to gods too?
…Without answering his own question, Aether sighs, sends his work to a pocket dimension, and promptly slaps another blank sheet in front of him. This time, there's no need for a reference sketch….he could paint this figure with his eyes closed.
Luckily he asked for a lot of green.
-0-
Obviously, by the time Aether gets back to Mondstadt, Albedo has long since retired for the night. So when tomorrow comes, after doing his daily commissions with Paimon and Amber, he immediately goes back to the alchemist's laboratory.
"Thanks for letting me to use it. I appreciate this."
"You're very welcome." Albedo slightly smiles, pleased that he was able to assist a friend. "As long as I'm not occupied with being Calx, you can borrow it whenever you wish."
"Heh…no need. I'm not nearly at your level."
"Oh? I very much doubt that." Albedo traces Aether's drawing absentmindedly, and upon receiving no objection from the Traveler, unveils the painting for a full examination. At the end of the day, the Kreideprinz's curiosity could not be stopped. Which is why this was all planned out.
"…Aether, who is this individual?"
Despite believing otherwise, Aether can't help but be slightly worried, evident by his widening eyes. But fear that he gave Albedo the wrong painting proves to be nothing more than a needless worry when he sees what the alchemist is looking at.
"Oh, that's Collei. She's actually a close friend of Amber's."
"From Sumeru?"
"Yeah! According to Amber, it a year before I arrived that the two of them met."
Albedo puts a hand on his chin. "Fascinating. I never knew."
"Well, it's been a long time since they've been able to see each other, but they do exchange letters. Still…. I do want them to meet up again, one day. It's very important to actually see those you love." Aether smiles wistfully.
"Explaining why you called it a dream…" The alchemist nods in understanding before looking back at the picture. "Well you certainly captured their friendship beautifully."
"…That's a relief. It took a few tries to convey that warmth, so I apologize if you run out on some of the colors.."
Aether hesitates just a bit when he says that, hoping that Albedo doesn't recognize any signs that he might be lying. But of course there's not so much as a glance at him. Albedo is just as clueless as everybody else. He also wouldn't recognize Rukkhadevata, so there's no way for him to suspect that another painting exists.
"Heh….no worries Aether. I'll simply order more."
"…R-Right. Well, if there's nothing else, I need to rejoin Paimon before she eats dinner without me. Have a pleasant evening Albedo~"
"Same to you."
And that's that. Aether unceremoniously swings the lab door open, leaves the office, and jumps down the stairs of Favonius HQ. Outside in the cool Mondstadt evening, he finds fairy and Outrider alike, telling a quick fib about how he wanted to check in with Albedo. Both paintings illustrated yesterday night remain securely in his possession, but only one will ever be shown to another person upon its' completion.
Rukkhadevata only exists within Aether's canvas now. And despite being removed from history, this record will outlast everything in Teyvat.
He isn't sure if this makes up for her sacrifice.