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“I am an adult, I can watch myself.”
“Young man, we are both going to Liyue for this special event.”
“I don’t even need to go!”
“You need to!”
“Why?!”
“To socialize, you have no choice. You are going whether you like it or not.”
Wanderer groaned in irritation as Nahida fixed his collar. He looked so stupid.
“Why are you treating me like a child, you’re a child yourself.”
“You throw tantrums like one, Wanderer.”
...
Harsh. Very harsh. Nahida was literally levitating to reach to his height, yet she called him a child. Rude.
Nahida was already in her attire, a more formal dress than her usual outfit. At least it looked nice, but Wanderer’s? It looked so stupid. He was also once again reminded that the top of his head felt really empty, it felt cold.
“Why can’t I wear my hat?” Wanderer asked the young god.
“Trust me, you wouldn’t want to wear that type of hat for this event.” Nahida helped adjusted his vest.
She stopped levitating and hopped down. Nahida took a few steps back to observe, Wanderer was awkwardly standing there in a stiff position, unmoving. She smiled happily.
“You look lovely!” Nahida commented, clapping her hands lightly.
“I look like some paper boy from Fontaine!” Wanderer replied.
“What’s wrong with looking like a paper boy from Fontaine?” She laughed. “They look really fancy, and sweet! Just like you!”
“Sweet?” Wanderer questioned her.
“Exactly, just like how you’re sweet with the traveler!” Nahida answered him. “Don’t think I didn’t notice.”
Wanderer crossed his arms, he rolled his eyes. Nahida chuckled at the sudden flushed face.
“Alright! If we leave now and catch the carriage, we will be arriving in Liyue in three hours.” Nahida got a bag and gave it to Wanderer. He accepted it. “Are you sure you packed everything?”
“Yes.” Wanderer rolled his eyes once again. “That’s the third time you asked me.”
“Then we’ll be leaving now.” Nahida got her bag, and the two went out of the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
“Did Aether ever mention about the Chasm?”
“I think he has.”
“Truly a mysterious place filled with hidden stories.”
They were now halfway in the Chasm, their carriage following the safest pathway heading to Liyue City. No hilichurls were blocking their way, but both Nahida and Wanderer did occasionally see a group in the distance, but they were harmless.
It has been around two hours since they last left Sumeru, and Wanderer was already exhausted. His back ached from sitting down, Nahida told him because he was slouching and hurting his artificial spine. But Wanderer wanted the journey to be over.
“What’s this event about again?” Wanderer asked the girl beside him.
“Ah you know, just a regular soiree.” Nahida answered him. “Specifically, for the leaders of each nation.”
“What’s this party about again?” Wanderer suddenly asked.
“It’s just a regular soiree type of party.” Nahida answered him. “Well, all of the people that are invited to the soiree are the leaders from each nation.”
...
Leaders?
“Well, not really leaders.” Nahida added. “Just representatives from each nation, so don’t expect any other archon except for us two, hehe.”
Wanderer was relieved, at least he wouldn’t get to see her.
“I’ve reserved a room with two beds, ma’am.” Wanderer stood beside Nahida awkwardly as the girl was on her tippy toes trying to poke her head out of the counter. “Under the name Nahida, from Sumeru.”
“Ah yes, your name is here on the list.” The lady on the counter, if Wanderer squinted his eyes at her nametag, he was pretty sure it read Verr Goldet, was currently looking down on a clipboard. “Here are your keys and your room is two the left, have a lovely day!”
“I’ve researched a room with two beds, ma’am.” Wanderer stood beside Nahida awkwardly as the girl was on her tippy toes trying to reach the counters. She was currently talking to Miss Verr Goldet, he assumed she owned Wangshu Inn. “Under the name Nahida, coming from Sumeru.”
Verr Goldet nodded as she looked through something on her desk, Wanderer heard some paper shuffling. The woman smiled and looked back up at the two of them.
“Ah, right, room 505.” Verr Goldet gave them a key. She glanced at Wanderer, his eyes refusing to meet hers. “Would you like a spare key for your...?”
“Nephew, he’s my dearest nephew.” Nahida chuckled. Wanderer was now giving her a side eye, the girl seemed to notice his glare, but she didn’t bother to respond to it.
“Ah, I see!” Verr Goldet laughed with her. She placed another key on the table, a replica. “How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking.”
“Oh you know, soon to be graduating from the Akademiya.” Nahida smiled politely as she grabbed the keys.
“That’s wonderful!” Verr Goldet told them. “Good luck with your studies, young man. Enjoy your visit to Liyue.”
Nahida waved goodbye to the lady as the two walked away. Wanderer was now carrying both of their bags, Nahida with the keys. The puppet said nothing, but the word ‘nephew’ kept on repeating in his mind.
When they both arrived at the step of the doorway, Nahida unlocked it with one of their keys. It clicked opened, and she kindly pushed the door. They were greeted with a cozy and comfortable setting, two beds as expected, another door to a nice little bathroom, and a desk in front of the beds.
Wanderer placed the bags on one of the beds as Nahida closed the door and locked it, leaving the keys on the desk.
...
“Nephew?!” Nahida started laughing when Wanderer shouted that. “That’s all you could’ve thought of? You could’ve said- I don’t know, cousin? Sibling? Why nephew?!”
“First of all-” Nahida stopped laughing and calmed down. “Cousin was out of my mind, and second, we don’t look like siblings!”
Wanderer stared at her.
“And plus, you’re technically my nephew!”
...
Wanderer huffed in annoyance as he plopped onto the bed, face first, both of his feet was still on the ground because he still had his shoes on. His whole head was buried into the pillows.
“Your hair!” He heard Nahida panicked. “The party is starting in an hour! We can’t afford messy hair!”
He felt Nahida gently pulling on his shoulders, but Wanderer didn’t budge. This felt familiar.
“Let me nap for ten minutes please.” Wanderer’s voice was muffled.
“Why didn’t you nap during the ride?!” Nahida asked him. “And the last time you told me you were going to take a ten minute nap, you woke up eight hours later, and it was 11 pm!”
“Fine.” Wanderer painfully pushed himself up from the bed.
“Ah no no no, get on the chair beside that desk, I’ll have to brush your hair again.” Nahida went to the bags and started rummaging through them, finding the brush she brought with.
Wanderer decided to listen to her and sat on the chair. There was a mirror on the wall, so he saw himself and Nahida behind him shuffling through the bags. He started laughing a bit when Nahida had to use her powers to fly again to reach his head.
As she brushed his hair, he decided to ask some questions about this, party.
“Who’s going to join the party?” Wanderer asked her.
“Hmm, I’m not sure.” Nahida answered him.
“Why do you not know who is joining this event, aren’t you supposed to know? What if it’s some sort of scam made by the Fatui.”
“I’d doubt it, it was signed by all of the members of the Qixing.”
“What if the signatures were somehow forged?”
“Nope, they weren’t, I would know.”
“How?”
“It’s quite easy to know if a signature is forged or not, so basically you just...-”
She doesn’t know.
...
What if she’s there, or the both of them. Would they be able to recognize him after what he did? No, he couldn’t risk meeting them again, he wasn’t ready. Ah no, why didn’t he think of this in the beginning, Nahida would understand. Maybe if he could just stay in this room for the entire night. But what if something bad happened at the party, Nahida would be in danger, and he wouldn’t be able to-
“Wanderer?”
He jerked his head up at the call of his name. He stared at Nahida in the mirror, who was peeking her head out from his.
“Are you okay? You’re zoning out again. Something on your mind?”
...
“Ah, I know what you’re thinking.”
...
Wanderer sighed, his eyes turning away from her.
“Don’t worry, the possibility of the Shogun and Lady Yae being there is low.” Nahida told him.
“Really, how?” Wanderer asked her.
“There are some important events in Inazuma happening right now, most of them relating to history and their old friends.” She explained. “So they are most likely busy celebrating it and having their chosen representative attend this event.”
As Nahida was brushing the final parts of his hair, he asked one last question.
“What even is the point of this event?” Wanderer sounded a bit annoyed.
“To catch up on the updates of each nation and have a stronger bond with each leader in order to support each nation better!” Nahida answered him. “And hey, if you’re lucky, you might see a certain someone with a floating fairy beside him, hehe!”
“Are you going to keep using him as some sort of bribe to make me come to every social event now?” Wanderer asked her.
“Well, would you rather take all your chances in seeing Aether again, or miss him when you decide not to go to a social event for once?” She asked her back.
...
“Are you done with my hair yet?”
“I’m done.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
“You didn’t answer my question-”
“Let’s go.”
When Wanderer was told that they would be attending some sort of fancy party, he expected it to be on some rich, expensive looking building, or just a big building in general.
Why were they in the sky?
Okay, so first of all, Nahida was ecstatic when the guide led them walking on floating rock stairs and into a gigantic floating rock in the sky. Second of all, when he got there, where are the safety railings? Well, obviously he didn’t have a problem with this, he could fly, and Nahida can peacefully levitate to the ground. But when he noticed that there were some alcoholic beverages on the table, what if some poor guy got drunk and accidentally walked off? Not his problem, Wanderer told himself.
Third, the view of the sunset was amazing. He was standing there quietly, cherishing the silence in the sky since they arrived there quite early.
“Wanderer!” He turned his head towards Nahida’s call. Her and another important looking woman were in the main area of this floating building, where a stage was set, some tables, and some food. They actually haven’t gone inside, Wanderer wasn’t sure if they were allowed to.
Nahida was gesturing him to come over, Wanderer prepared for some small talk. As he stood beside Nahida, he quickly bowed his head down slightly to the woman.
“Greetings, it is great to be an acquaintance, Wanderer.” He didn’t know what to say, he nodded his head awkwardly. “I am the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, but since we are here to be casual, in the meantime, please just call me Ningguang.”
“It is nice to meet you too, Ninguang.” Wanderer glanced at Nahida beside her, she quickly gestured to him to shake her hand. He quickly held out his hand to Ningguang, which she gladly took and shake.
“You’re around ten minutes early, enjoy yourselves with our cuisine.” Ningguang gesture to the table of food. “Our doors will open with more cuisine from other nations once the other guests arrive. Also, please try to stay until the very end, we have a show that will be performed by our dearest Yun Jin, great dancer by the way, you wouldn’t want to miss it.”
“Ohhhh! That sounds exciting!” Nahida commented. “We won’t miss it!”
“Thank you.” Ningguang told them. “Please excuse me for a while, I need to talk to some people, but I promise I’ll be joining you two again soon. Enjoy the party.”
Nahida happily waved goodbye, Wanderer awkwardly nodded in response. The two chose a table, and they both decided to wait for the other people to arrive before eating.
Haha, fuck.
Ah no, oh no, holy shit. Wanderer’s worst nightmare for tonight’s event came true. He actually recognized someone here, and he was damn horrified.
He was hiding his face with his hand, his whole body was turned away from the person he was clearly trying to avoid. Nahida on the other hand, was about to get her food when he noticed what was happening in front of her.
“What’s happening?” Nahida asked him. “Are you hurt?”
“Childe.” Wanderer whispered to her.
Nahida appeared to recognize that name, he was glad he didn’t need to explain.
“That makes sense, he’s here to represent his nation then.” Nahida told the other.
She eyed the man from across the area, he was in front of the Liyue cuisine table. He wore a fancy red suit, and he was chatting to a purple haired lady. Wanderer glanced at Nahida, he noticed that she was looking at him. He panicked.
“Don’t stare at him! The fuck?!” Wanderer half-whispered to her.
“Language!” Nahida half-whispered back at him. “And don’t worry about it, he doesn’t even remember you!”
“But I remember him, and he drives me nuts!”
“This could be a fresh start, Wanderer.” Nahida told him. “And besides, he’s busy chatting with other people. You just have to force yourself to do small talk.” Nahida grabbed her empty plate from the table. “Or, just stick with me and I’ll do the talking. Now come on, let’s grab some food! Let’s just go inside for more!”
Wanderer hesitated, he still kept his head low. As Nahida stood there, patiently waiting of his move, he grabbed his plate and followed Nahida into the building.
His only hope was the traveler being here, he knows Childe, right? He probably knew how to deal with him. The problem was, no matter where he looked, he couldn’t spot for that damn traveler.
He was doomed, he was scared and lonely, and he followed Nahida around like a duckling. Archons, he was so pathetic.
“Hey look! Cuisine from Fontaine and Inazuma!” Nahida pointed at the two of them, Wanderer following his gaze at the tables. “Well, I suggest trying the food from Natlan, it consists of a lot of meat, and they’re very strong in flavor!”
“Uhm, alright.” Wanderer quietly strolled to the table with the Natlan cuisine.
He half-expected Nahida to come with him to check out Natlan’s cuisine, but he didn’t feel the familiar presence of Sumeru’s archon beside him. He quickly looked around the place for her, but his eyes quickly found her. She was at Fontaine’s table, looking at the pastries and desserts.
Wanderer looked back and observed the options he was given. The food looked appetizing, normally he ate light meals, and whatever Nahida (and the Traveler haha) served him, he wasn’t that picky with his food. Except for sticky sweets, he still wondered how people willingly eat those types of desserts.
There were noodles with lots of meat toppings on it, including shrimp and hard-boiled eggs. There was another bowl that seemed to be actively heating the dish, it had sliced pork with lots of chopped vegetables cooking with it, there were even two chilis laying at the side. Nahida was right, almost everything was meat, cooked in many different ways, and they smelt good.
Wanderer kindly grabbed the serving spoon for one of the dishes and began scooping some of the food to his plate.
“Hey, comrade!”
FUCK- He almost dropped the serving spoon while he was actively transferring the food to his plate.
Wanderer quickly recovered, and when he placed the serving spoon back to its proper place, the young man nervously turned to his side where the voice what. He slightly looked up, and for Celestia’s sake it was Childe of course.
“Hello.” Wanderer greeted back, he didn’t know what to say.
“I’m number 11 of the Fatui Harbingers!” Wanderer got various flashbacks. “But for now, just call me Childe! I’m here representing my nation Snezhnaya on behalf of the Tsaritsa!”
... This was going to be a weird night.
Since he couldn’t keep quiet, and Nahida wasn’t here right now, traitor, by the way, he gave up and accepted that he was going to do some small talk for the last guy he wanted to ever see again.
“My title is the Wanderer.” He replied, he busied himself in getting more food from the table. “I’m here representing Sumeru.”
“Are you with someone?” Childe asked him.
“Yes..” Wanderer responded, a bit skeptical of this question.
“Is it the little girl over there?” Childe gestured to Nahida, who was currently talking to Ningguang once again. They were both by the Sumeru cuisine table. “Wait, if I am not mistaken, isn’t she Lesser Lord Kusanali herself?”
...
“Yes, she is.” The other slowly nodded. He was pretty sure he was done getting his food.
“That’s amazing! I think she’s the only archon here currently representing their nation!” Childe smiled. “Are you her assistant or anything like that? A personal scribe?”
Don’t say it do not say it don’t say it do not say it-
“Well, actually-” DON’T SAY IT. “-I’m her nephew.” YOU DUMBASS.
“You’re her nephew?!” Childe repeated. He then smiled brightly once again. “That’s awesome, comrade! You two must have great wisdom then!”
... Well, it’s nothing like hers.
“Uhm, I’m not that sure, she’s a lot smarter than she looks actually.” Wanderer really wanted to sit down and eat his food- Oh hey look, rice. Wanderer got some rice and placed it on his plate. “Yeah, she’s smart.”
“Well, I can tell you’re pretty smart too!” Wanderer can smell a lovey dovey, heart to heart short lecture from a mile away. “Back at home, I have some younger siblings. They’re really sweet, they’d love to meet you.” Sure they would. “Even though we are all very different, we still have lots of similar attributes that connect to one another!”
Childe proceeded to talk about his siblings for another two minutes, but Nahida, Wanderer’s savior, joined in the conversation.
“Hello! I’m back!” Nahida greeted Wanderer. She turned to Childe. “And you must be Childe! Nice to meet you!”
“Lesser Lord Kusanali!” Childe held out his hand for her to shake. “Glad to be at your acquaintance!”
“The same goes to you to!” Nahida held out a hand, the other holding her plate.
“Is that Mondstadt cuisine on your plate?” Childe asked her.
“Why yes it is!”
“I heard it’s very unique in flavor! You should try their sticky honey roast!”
“I would love to! I also saw cuisine from your nation as well!”
The two talked about food for what it felt like forever, Wanderer felt very hungry.
“We should talk at our table.” Nahida suggested. “I’m sure Wanderer is starving here.”
“Ah yes, my apologies!” Childe replied. “I’ve already ate my meal, but I am going back for dessert in a while, but yes! Let’s talk!”
...
Food had never tasted this delicious before, no wonder mortals loved it so much. Wanderer was cherishing every bite he took from his plate.
As soon as they sat at their table, Wanderer was (politely) wolfing down on his meal. He already zoomed out of Nahida’s and Childe’s talk about whatever they were talking about, and this whole time, he was enjoying the shit out of the food he picked.
He had mostly zoomed out of Nahida’s and Childe’s talk about whatever they were talking about, and enjoying the shit out of food he picked.
Nahida and Childe were still talking when Wanderer was already done with his meal. He didn’t feel like standing up or joining in their conversation, so he actively searched the area. The sun had fully set, and the stars were out. Yellow and orange lights lit up the area, and there was currently an empty stage with props already set up.
He was now realizing that maybe the Traveler wouldn’t be here. He was a bit bummed, but even if he was here, what would he do? His battery was drained from just talking to Childe, and he wanted out.
“Oh! Speaking about nephews- What’s your nephew like?” Wanderer felt his heart drop when he heard Childe asked that question to Nahida.
“Nephew-? Oh! Of course!” Nahida glanced quickly at Wanderer, then back to Childe. “Well, as you can see- He doesn’t like to chat.”
Wanderer gave a death glare to the girl, once again, she didn’t seem to be bothered.
“But he’s very smart!” Nahida added. “Well, of course, we are related after all!”
Nahida chuckled and Childe began laughing. Wanderer’s face was a bit red at that.
“I’m only teasing, I’m just teasing of course.” Nahida clarified. “Even before meeting me, he was still very clever with his work, I’m just here to support him and you know, help him find new people!”
That was the kindest way to say that Wanderer needed friends.
“That’s good!” Childe replied, he then turned his head to the main topic of the conversation. “Hey, Wanderer, I think I know someone that you might enjoy their company.”
“Oh, really?” He looked at him weirdly. “Who is it then?”
“Well, he’s a traveler, so he travels a lot, haha.” Oh no. “And he’s pretty famous, his name is Aether! I don’t know if you’re the type to swing a weapon or to attack with magic, but he’s a good opponent to have a worthy duel with! And I’m pretty sure he’d enjoy being your friend.”
“Oh well-” Wanderer you need to focus. “I actually already know him.”
“Really? Then that’s great!” Childe told him. “How did you two meet?”
Oh you know, the classic putting on a fake nice mask to try to lure your victim into a false sense of hope to eventually slaughter him, but oh well, that first introduction failed. Then, he probably killed a friend of his or something, and Wanderer disappeared again, leaving Aether with no context of what was happening. So many missing pieces that almost lead this stubborn traveler to his death because of him. Then finally, he technically killed him 168 times.
And now, he had the audacity to go and fall in love with him. Just why?!
“Uhm-” Wanderer cleared his throat. “We met on- We met on a journey-”
“Comrade?”
“Yes?”
“Are you alright? Your face is very red, are you sick?”
Wanderer was now panicking, he felt immense guilt and frustration, and he didn’t know how to stop this. His eyes quickly turned to Nahida, she appeared to be a bit concerned for him. She chuckled nervously and turned to the other.
“Well- Maybe it’s the temperature!” Nahida told him. “It’s getting a bit hot in here, it’s been a while since the wind visited us, hasn’t it?”
“Really? I think this is the cause of nervousness, I’m sorry buddy, am I making you uncomfortable-?”
“I!” Wanderer suddenly stood up, unintentionally slamming his hands on the table. Childe and Nahida stared at him, he also felt a few other sets of eyes on him as well. “-Need to go to the comfort room.”
Wanderer quickly left the table and walked straight into the building. He hoped that the bathroom was there, it’d be embarrassing if he had to walk out and ask where it was.
He walked past the other people there. There was a blonde woman with another woman with a purple hat by the Fontaine table, and a lot of other people that he didn’t care for.
When he made it to the other side where less people were, there was a door with a golden sign placed beside it.
‘Guest Bathroom’
Perfect. Wanderer grabbed the doorknob and pushed it open and he instantly stepped inside, locking the door behind him.
The bathroom was quite lovely, very rich looking and fancy. There were tall flowers and plants in it, why do you need plants in a smelly bathroom? Well, remove the smelly, it actually smelt nice.
Wanderer stood there, engulfed in the bathroom’s silence. He tried calming himself down, he felt very shaky, he knew he needed to calm down, but so many questions came flooding in, with each answer producing one more. Why was this happening to him? He knew it was the guilt, but Aether forgave him and held no grudges towards him whatsoever. But why? Why did he easily forgive him? Was it because of pity? Most likely it was, but why was he feeling this way?
Why did they always make this look very dramatic and poetic in the books, they looked very life changing. This was not dramatic and poetic and life changing, this was unnecessary and pitiful and useless.
“What am I doing?” Wanderer said out loud. He was a bit worried that people would notice that the bathroom had been occupied a bit longer than usual.
He contemplated pouring water into the toilet sink so people would think he was actually using the toilet instead of using it as a hiding spot so Childe and Nahida wouldn’t see him on the verge of a breakdown.
“Wanderer?”
...
A couple of knocks were heard from behind him.
“Are you alright in there?”
...
“Childe left already, but don’t worry, he got some desserts before he did. He told me to apologize on his behalf to you, he said that he’s very sorry that he made you uncomfortable.”
Wanderer felt a familiar lump in his throat. Oh no, not right now, please.
...
“Do you want to talk?”
...
Wanderer opened the door and Nahida was standing there. Her face turned soft when she saw him.
“May I visit your humble abode?”
“Okay.”
The door was shut behind her, and Wanderer watched as Nahida observed the bathroom.
“What a lovely bathroom.” Nahida commented on it. “Would you like to have a bathroom like this?”
“Uhm, not really.” Wanderer replied. “I don’t think adding live flowers and plants in a place where people dispose of their, uhm, waste.”
Nahida lightly giggled at that, then she turned to face Wanderer.
“What happened out there?” Nahida asked him. “I can see it in your face that some triggered you there.”
“It’s the traveler.” Wanderer sighed in defeat. “You already know.”
“Would you like to share how you feel?”
“How is that going to help? You already know that I love him or some shi- or something, how complicated love it-”
“No, you feel guilty.”
...
“I do.” Wanderer slid to the floor until he was sitting on it, legs curled up, his arms hugging them. “You read through me again.”
Nahida sat down in front of him.
“Aether forgives you.”
“He forgives almost everyone, he’s just too kind, he’s probably still scared of me.”
“No, because he wants to be your friend.”
“Why me?! He has tons of friends, and most likely some of them that want to be more than friends as well, and honestly, they’re all better than me.” Wanderer felt a tear slide down his face. “I’m just unfortunate enough to fall for him.”
...
“Oh Wanderer.” Nahida placed her hand on his knee for comfort. “Aether has met so many people, all strange and evil. And he has met some people who promised to him that they’d be better, and they don’t make the effort at all to change. But none of them made the effort as much as you did.”
Wanderer opened his eyes, and they turned to Nahida.
“He isn’t afraid of you, because he knows that you’re just like him.” Nahida added. “You want answers from the past, him as well. So that’s why he wants to know you better, because he wants to be your friend.”
...
“Are you lying?”
“No, of course not.”
...
“Traveler isn’t coming here, isn’t he?”
“I’m sorry, I asked Ningguang about it, he’s currently busy.”
...
“Can we go home now?”
Nahida sighed a bit.
“Okay, I’ll speak to Ningguang first.”
The two got out of the bathroom, no one seemed to notice them. Nahida was holding Wanderer’s hand, he didn’t bother to comment anything about it. She guided him outside and led him to their table. She told him to sit there and wait for her.
Nahida was about to go and find Ningguang until the woman herself was on the stage.
“I would like to give my greatest thanks to all of you for taking your time to join this party.” Ningguang announced. “It is not common for all of us to gather, and for that I am grateful that we are all here to get to know each other, and to enhance our bond for the future. Before the night officially ends, I would like to present a performance by Madam Yun Jin, enjoy.”
The crowd cheered and clapped as the lady went on the stage. Nahida sat down on her seat to watch.
“Let’s watch this first before leaving.” Nahida whispered to him.
Wanderer nodded and looked back up on the stage, and the lady started singing beautifully.
“A little birdie told me that you went to a social event.”
“Where did you get that information?”
“Like I said, a little birdie told me that.”
Wanderer and Aether were outside, sitting on the ground above a picnic mat. They were facing each other. A few days after that event, Aether had invited him for a picnic, alone specifically, Wanderer didn’t really know why he had to clarify that, but he accepted it.
Wanderer sighed when he figured out who this little birdie Aether was talking about.
“Was it Nahida?” He asked Aether.
He dramatically gasped.
“How did you know?!” Aether questioned him.
“It was quite obvious actually.” Wanderer looked unimpressed. “Are you going to ask me about it?”
“Of course.” Aether answered. “How was it?”
“Well, it’s not my type of social event.” Wanderer told him.
“Not your type?” The other replied. “What’s your type then? The hardcore rock party event? Where you get drunk and dance around and scream until your ears bleed?”
Wanderer stared at him in disbelief. How could he think that he’d like that type of social event? Or party?
“Of course not.” He told the other.
Aether chuckled a bit, Wanderer got quiet.
“I’m just kidding.” Aether clarified. “Quick question, do you drink?”
“Why do you need to know?”
“Just curious.”
“Yes, but not often.”
“Ah, lucky.” Aether sighed. “I really have to get someone to get my drinks, no one ever believes me when I say I’m allowed to drink.”
“That is indeed unfortunate.” Wanderer told him.
“Anyways.” Aether grabbed his picnic basket and place it on his lap. He opened it. “I got you a little something.”
“You don’t need to give gifts every time you see me.” The other informed him. “We’re just casually meeting, nothing special is happening.”
“Well, what if the special event is just being with you?” Aether smiled, Wanderer knew what he did there, and he was furious that he was easily flustered by that. “I found it! Here!”
Aether brought out a plate, and Wanderer couldn’t believe his eyes.
It was the food he ate at the event a few days ago.
“Oh.” That was all Wanderer could say. He took the plate. “Uhm, thank you.”
“I heard you tried this and loved it.” Aether took out his food. “So I decided to cook it myself!”
Wanderer took a bite, and it was more delicious than before. He didn’t know why, but everything Aether cooked was automatically better than anything.
“How is it?” Aether asked him.
Wanderer immediately swallowed his bite to answer him.
“It’s nice.” Wanderer answered.
Just like the Traveler.