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"When the moon glows bright, I shall dream of you~”
“And when the sun shine glows, I’ll remember you~”
“For every day, you ever stay inside my head...”
She had furrowed her brow, looking at the lyric sheets. Trying desperately to ignore the blush on her cheek and the claps of a fellow songwriter. “Brilliant, absolutely touching!” he spoke his praises.
“T-Thank you...” Barbara answered, though apprehension showed on her face. “But it’s missing something” she deduced. Venti began to twirl his foot in thought. “Well... if I had to guess maybe it’s something to do with the tone?” “Tone? How so?” Barbara asked.
“Well from your lyrics alone I’d assume this is a love song of sorts?” Venti probed. Getting the answer he was expecting soon after as red dusted the nunette’s cheeks. “So the music would have to match, and a lyre can’t really keep up with the pace now can it?” Venti explained.
“Huh...” Barbara replied. “Does it really have to have music?”
“Well yes but also no, depends on how much of a bang you want”
“Hm... and who do I go to for this?”
“Well I do know this one person in-”
“Sister Barbara!” a fellow nun suddenly barged into the room. “A young man requires your assistance immediately” Barbara sighed. “I’ll be right with you in a brief moment”
“Sorry Venti”
“Ah no problems we’ll talk about this later!” Venti flashed a smile.
Barbara had soon exited the room they were in turning back to-
“W-Where did you go!?” she spoke, baffled. Sighing as she continued outside.
“Alright what problems shall we...” Barbara asked with a kind smile before rolling her e’s. “... oh boy”
“Thank you! I’ll see you tomorrow!” Barbara cheered as she exited the main doors, her cheery grin turning into a furrowed grin as she held her smile.
“I’ll get off whenever I feel like it!” Venti yelled from the top.
“We’ve been over this a dozen times now, stay off the statue!” Albert yelled.
“I’ll have you know I was made in the archons likeness!” Venti yelled back.
“Aw now that’s just blasphemy!”
“Why does nobody believe me?” he mumbled to himself.
Barbara sighed walking up. “Venti please get down from there”
“Aw alright already!” He complained before jumping off and with a flick of his finger a gust of anemo broke his fall before landing safely on his feet with a flourish.
“Venti... are you drunk?” she asked.
“Eh only a bottle... or two”
Barbara simply took a breath. “Alright guess we’ll talk tomorrow then... goodnight Venti”
“Goodnight to you too Barbara!” Venti cheerily walked off.
“Night to you too Albert” Barbara added before walking along herself.
Said man stopped in his tracks. “O-Oh you don’t need someone to walk you home?”
“Oh no I don’t live too far, besides Jean’s expecting me” Barbara replied.
“Oh well goodnight Barbara!” he cheerily waved.
Barbara waved back as she walked home.
Taking a sigh of relief. Her sisters advice worked well.
“Ah this is all so lovely what’s the occasion?” Venti asked, digging into a plate of pancakes.
“You said that you knew someone, who could help me?” Barbara asked.
“... OH! Yeah I forgot about that!” Venti clued in.
“So you do know?” Barbara asked.
“Yeah! There’s this musician over in Liyue, got her style from Fontaine she should have some insight on your musical dilemma” Venti explained.
“All the way in Liyue?” Barbara asked.
“Well yeah she lives there”
“Hm... if I leave notice in advance we could visit in... two days from now?”
“Psh! Two days I know several ways we can make it there and back in time for lunch or dinner!”
“Oh really!?” Barbara asked with a smile. “T-Then in that case how about we leave at noon?”
“Well alright then! It’s a date!” Venti grinned.
“All set?” Venti asked, stood beside a familiar monolith.
“Ready! So... how are we supposed to get there?” Barbara asked.
“With this!” Venti pointed with both of his arms in a flourish...
To one of those broken monoliths they can never seem to repair, mainly because it’s unclear what they even are. “Oh this thing? How?”
“Well by touching this part of it, envisioning the front gate of Liyue Harbor as you close your eyes, focus and you’ll be there in a flash!”
“I’ve... uh... haven’t been to Liyue in a while though...” Barbara answered.
...
“Then simply hold my hand tight and remain calm!”
Before she could get a word in her hand was grasped tightly and-
There they were, the front gates of Liyue Harbor. The hustle and bustle of the docks, and the architecture all the while illuminated by the sun and sea. A remarkable sight...
Only poor Barbara had to ignore it all to hurl up her breakfast.
Venti looking away with a displeased and sorry frown. “It get’s better...”
She had a hard time focusing on their search for...
“Wait so who are we looking for exactly?” Barbara asked.
“Oh right. So the musician I’m talking about is a nice lady named Xinyan, hard to miss with her accent and spiked pigtails. She’s usually around Wanmin, somewhere” Venti explained.
She had heard about that restaurant before... “Oh well maybe we can stop for lunch there?”
“Sounds perfect, though we still need to find miss Xinyan first”
Surprisingly, or unsurprisingly if you actually knew Xinyan she was indeed at Wanmin where she was currently spitting fire. Literally as she ran about the kitchen spouting garbage as Xiangling was chasing her about holding a bottle of milk, begging her to stop running. The two patiently waiting as the scene unfolded before at long last she had chugged the entire bottle.
“Ah thanks Xiangling!”
“Any inspiration come to you yet?” She had asked.
“And none to bupkis” She frowned.
“Aw you’ll get it soon!” she reassured.
“Man I hope so, the first ever Liyue Music Festival is coming up soon and here I am spouting nonsense” She began to complain.
“Ah writer’s block, a struggle I can relate to” Venti spoke his mind as he leant onto the counter.
“Oh shoot I’m sorry you had to see that, anything I can get for you?” Xiangling spoke walking over.
“Oh no it’s quite alright, though I do wish to speak with miss Xinyan?” Barbara eased in.
Xinyan peeked her head up, before something else peaked indeed.
“Oh capper on a stick, if it isn’t the Idol of Monstadt herself!? What’s a gal like you doing looking for a punk like myself?” Xinyan asked, in a brighter mood now.
“This young woman here is writing a song and needs a little something extra to go along with it” Venti explained.
“Well Xinyan knows a lot about music, how about I whip you all up something while you talk?” Xiangling buttered them up.
“That sounds like a wonderful idea, we were thinking about stopping here for lunch anyway”
“I’ll take anything that isn’t spicy, I’m in need of a pallete cleanser” Xinyan ordered.
“Do you have anything that’s beer battered?” Venti asked.
“And I’ll take a Wanmin Boiled Fish please” Barbara ordered.
“Coming right up!” Xiangling spoke before rushing off.
“So you want music to accompany your song?” Xinyan asked.
“Yes, I believe it to be the thing that’s missing in it” Barbara answered.
“Well my style is more of Rock ‘N Roll, but I heard a lot of distinct tunes during my time in Fontaine so I guess I could be of help”
“Oh perfect! What style should I use?”
“Well now hold on I gotta' know what we’re working with here, you say you’re working on a song well what kind of song?” Xinyan asked.
Barbara began to blush. Which Xinyan laughed at. “Yeah I know that blush when I see it, no shame in writing that kind of song” Barbara felt a little better at that.
“Well that kind of song will definitely suit a slower instrument like a strings or brass type beat, but it still kind of depends on your lyrics. So let me have a look”
Once again she blushed, though now that the food had arrived she could blame it on the spice. But she still reluctantly handed over the sheets.
Xinyan took a look through them. “Wow these are cheesy” she commented loudly.
“But then again so is every single love song ever made, and looking through this you’re probably going for a happy go lucky type beat so I’d suggest the ol’ Strings or Brass approach”
“Oh okay. And uh where do I find someone who can do that?” Barbara asked.
Xinyan tapped her cheek in thought...
“Crudsicles, I don’t know any other musicians out here the only one that comes to mind is Kazuha but...” The image of Kazuha playing music comes to mind... if only a blade of grass was considered an instrument. Though there was one other person who knew how to play strings too...
“Well this is gonna be a change of pace, but maybe that’s what I need. Alright Barbara you got a deal, you provide the voice and I’ll provide the melody!” Xinyan agreed with a shake of hands.
She was pretty excited, even if the pretense to the agreement was they’d be performing at the upcoming Iridescence Tour’s stop in Liyue which would be the true first of it’s kind. So excited she began to workshop new lyrics to accompany those first few lines. Wow Xinyan was right these are-
“Sister Barbara?”
Said sister spread every paper on the desk close to herself. “Y-Yeah!?” she squeaked.
“We’re... closing up the cathedral”
Barbara looked out the window. “G-Goodness it’s that late out!?” she spoke as she packed her things.
“I’ll be going now”
Her fellow nun had a giggle. “Good luck with your newest song”
“T-Thank you!”
Barbara had stepped out into the cool night of Monstadt. Taking a momentary breath of peace before making her way home, though eerily enough it seemed rather dark out tonight. She had made her way home countless times, but something about tonight seemed off-
(snap)
Darting behind her she saw nothing, deciding it to just be an animal she continued. Though she could have sworn her footsteps seemed louder upon each heel clunking onto the steps, but it was late out.
It was really late out, almost every light in the street had gone dark. “Did I really work this late?”
She shook her head. “Come on, Jean works this late too so she must deal with this too. Yeah you-”
Suddenly she could have sworn she heard something hit the pavement, turning around she saw nothing again... by this point she was a little concerned. And heeding her sisters advice she took a longer but tricky path home, and discretely dropping an old bunch of berries behind her...
(splat)
Her lip trembled, she was definitely being followed home. “S-Stay calm, stay calm... maybe it’s just Albert yeah... Albert who just wants to make sure I get home safe...” Oh who was she kidding:
In a panic she resorted to simply run as fast as she could, across the backstreets. Frantically panting and rushing through every possible awning or sidewall to lose her pursuer. Ignoring the heat in her chest, her frantic breaths, or the tears streaming through her face as she tried to lose them. But those footsteps seemed to get closer and closer with no sign of losing them, so in a last minute effort she decided to hide behind a crate...
Covering her mouth tightly as she watched the dark figure look around, scratch their head before heading off in an unknown direction. She sat there unmoving, breathing through her hands. Waiting until the coast was clear-
“Barbara?”
She screamed her head off as she pressed her back against the wall holding her hands in front of her, begging for nothing to happen to her. Only...
“Woah woah woah, calm down Barbara, calm down...” The stranger spoke, reaching their hands forward and placing them on her shoulders. “Calm down everything’s okay...”
She dared to raise her hands down and-
“L-Lumine...?” she squeaked.
Lumine was indeed in front of her, kneeling in front of her.
“Yeah it’s- Oh!” Lumine couldn’t finish before she was grasped in a tight hug, or before the girl began crying onto her shoulder. “It’s okay I’m here, I’m here” Lumine spoke returning the hug and rubbing her back. Barbara sniffling and whimpering in relief.
Her shoulder was definitely all gross now, but that was the least of her worries as she needed to focus on Barbara right now. “Don’t worry I’ll walk you home okay?”
(sniff) “O-Okay” Barbara whispered, getting hoisted up by her and led on a walk home. Lumine on look out for any possible goons in the night. Though wasted as they were soon walking up the steps to her and Jean’s apartment. “Think you’ll be alright now?” Lumine asked.
Barbara nodded as she unlocked her door, and stepped inside. Lumine took that as her cue to leave, strolling down the-
“A-Actually...” Lumine paused and glanced behind her, seeing Barbara hiding behind her door.
“C-Could you um... stay the night, please?” Barbara asked, cheeks faintly dusted.
Lumine’s brow raised. “Doesn’t Jean live here with you?”
“She uh, moved out a long time ago”
“Wow I sure missed a lot...” “Well alright then, I’ll take the couch”
Lumine had woken up from a much needed sleep, looking at the ceiling darkened by unopened blinds which barely let the morning sun seep through. Deciding to busy herself she roused herself up with a yawn, stretching as she stood up-
“Oh good afternoon sleepy head!” Barbara cheered as she stepped into her own apartment.
“Don’t you mean morning?” Lumine asked, somehow still tired.
“No like what I said, you were still sleeping by the time I woke up and no matter what I tried you were out cold. So I let you sleep in” Barbara explained.
“Oh well thank you” Lumine smiled.
“If you don’t mind could you stay for lunch?” Barbara asked.
“Oh no! I couldn’t ask more from-”
A rather loud growl came from her stomach, causing her to flush in embarrassment.
Unashamedly she dug into the well prepared lunch of Fisherman’s Toast and Hash Browns, digging in with both grace and voracity. Blind to the growing concerns of Barbara at the moment, and unprepared for the incoming question.
“Wow you’re digging in like Paimon does, speaking of that where is Paimon anyway?”
“O-Oh... yeah” Lumine answered, dropping her fork having lost her appetite.
“She’s uh... gone...”
Lumine took note of Barbara’s grave expression. “Not gone gone, but like... she lost her form”
“She’s still here, but I can’t see... o-or hear her again-”
As the stars fell to the sea, their pristine forms crumbling. The wool they had pulled over the world burning away to reveal an endless sky... she laid there.
Wailing, begging for her to come back. Promising to stop calling her names, or to buy and cook whatever she wanted. But all that happened was a brief feeling on her shoulders, and a faint whisper:
“I’m going to miss you too... Lumi...”
Everything after that was a blur, she remembered crying, being tightly hugged...
Her eyes soon watered after remembering why all that happened, doing nothing as she retreated into herself and did nothing but cry. Days soon blurring together, doing nothing but reliving memories of her dear friend and their adventures. But eventually she had to get back up...
She had to drag herself up, moving her weary body as the heavens fell around her. Weaving across cracking floors, falling pillars, all before she fell with them. And jumping forth she reached her hand out and-
“Lumine?”
“I... I think I’m gonna be okay”
“Wow they finally got to hold a festival here?” Lumine asked.
“Yeah it was a surprise to me too when I heard about it” Barbara smiled.
The two had found a suitable spot in the crowd as another band was playing on stage... which currently was a band of Hilichurls playing bongo’s cymbals and a couple of strings and woodwinds.
“Are those the hilichurls Ella Musk talks with?” Lumine squinted.
It was also a surprise to see Venti of all people playing on a stage like this, but he would then knock it out of the park with a song about his favorite past time... in a more lighthearted sense.
She was also one of the many who gave a standing ovation.
“Thank you everyone!” he spoke as he gave a bow. “Such a grand time to play before you all, I won’t take too much of your time but I can say that the next and last performance is quite the unexpected duo” Venti would take his leave.
“Wonder who’s playing last-”
Lumine looked beside her, finding that Barbara was nowhere to be found.
“Barbara? Where did you go?” Lumine asked around, though she didn’t have to do so any longer as a riff soon echoed through the port. And turning to see-
The crowd going wild as Xinyan skidded into view, plucking gentle strings from her guitar as an unexpected face soon followed after her...
“Everyday I, saw you there~”
“On the bridge where you left...”
“A bitter reminder of... the promise we made~”
“Everyday I would, patch you up~”
“Making sure, you were okay”
“Always with a smile on my face...”
“I wish I~ Could tell you~”
“All the feeling that brew inside...”
“But as long as I, remember you...”
“I can also dream of you~”
“When the moon glows bright, I shall dream of you~”
“When the sun shine’s bright, I’ll remember you~”
“For everyday you ever stay... inside my head~”
“... my shooting star...”
The crowd’s cheering increased by a good margin, amazed at the mixture of rock and pop occurring right now. Though a particular face amongst the crowd watched with bittersweet intrigue.
But as Barbara and Xinyan inched closer together everyone could tell it was imminent:
a duet
“Everyday I’d stare, over there...”
“The Bridge we left behind~”
“A fond reminder of, the promise we kept...”
“Everyday I would patch you up~”
“Reassuring you were okay~”
“Never letting go, the smile on my face...”
“I wish I, could tell you...”
“All the feelings that brew inside~”
“But as long as I, Remember you...”
“I’ll always dream of you”
“When the moon glows bright, I shall dream of you~”
“When the sun shine’s bright, I’ll remember you~”
“For everyday, you’re in my head...”
“My shooting star...”
Barbara and Xinyan were now leaning on each other’s backs, staring into the sky as her guitar plucks slowed down.
“When the sun shine’s bright I wish to say...”
“When the moon glows bright I wish to say...”
“...Why can’t I say so...?”
They finished as a single pluck echoed...
The crowd... was stunned.
Amazed by the fusion of different vocals and tones, touched by the lyrics so much they were confused as wether they should remain silent or clap.
But despite that one lone person clapped, then the person beside them. And before long everyone was clapping, even those who were passing by, even those who were far from the stage. Some were even whistling and cheering as Xinyan and Barbara gave a bow and thanks before they exited the stage.
The two had quite a tough time trying to get away from the stage because as soon as they got off they were swamped by many festival-goers, some evidently fans of either two or both as they clamored for their thoughts or autographs. Awkwardly talking and hastily writing whatever as they tried to move along. “Jeez you live like this?” Xinyan asked.
“Oh my gosh Barbara you were amazing!” Barbara would be interrupted by-
“O-Oh uh hi Albert...” Barbara weakly smiled, trying to hide her concern. “You uh came all the way to see the show?” Albert scoffed. “As if I wouldn’t miss one of your shows”
Xinyan leaned close to Barbara. “So he didn’t come to listen to others music” she whispered in her ear.
“Oh well that’s... nice to hear”
“Heh yeah as the leader of your fanclub it’s my duty to keep tabs on your upcoming performances, a shame that the gang couldn’t make the trip”
“Oh yeah such a shame” Barbara reluctantly agreed.
“So I’d assume you’re heading back to Monstadt to huh?” he asked. “Well yeah that’s the plan...”
“I’ll be sure to come along to keep you company then”
“Oh no that’s alright there’s some stuff I wanna do here first before I leave”
“Oh well I suppose I could do the same, not exactly much chances to head to Liyue often”
“Well you see I’m supposed to meet some friends in, well private” Barbara tried to worm out, mainly because Xinyan was beginning to slowly raise her guitar in the way a claymore wielder does...
“Think fast!” a voice yelled.
Everyone turning to-
(splat) (THUD)
Barbara and Xinyan watched Albert fall to the floor, a mess of colored rice on the back of his head.
“Is he alright?” A tall man said.
“Nah his head must be pretty dense if he missed that many deflections” Lumine replied.
“Nice shot Beidou” she commented.
Said captain cracked her fists. “Eh, I’ve had experiences with this kind of stuff”
“Well thanks for the save there, I was worried I’d have to give the fellow a clobberin’” Xinyan spoke, pulling Barbara along as they stepped over his unconscious form with Barbara staring worried.
“Trust me we all would want to” Lumine muttered darkly. “But anyway your performance was absolutely amazing” she then spoke all cheery. “You really thought so?” Barbara asked.
“Heck yeah!” the tall guy agreed. “Even I the great and mighty Arattaki Itto was amazed”
“Thanks...?” Xinyan thanked, with a confused smile. “Uh what about you captain?”
“Well I don’t know if what I can say is anything you’ve already heard before, but what I can say is that almost the entirety of the city was watching” Beidou commented. “Heck I spotted a qixing member or two sneaking off to listen” Barbara and Xinyan had a little smile at that.
“So uh you two also heading over to the festival after party?” the man who introduced himself as “Itto” asked. “Afterparty?” Barbara asked. “Oh yeah over at Xinyue Kiosk, the organizers are holding an all expenses paid feast for those who performed” Xinyan explained.
“Yeah that one! So uh you two going?” Itto asked. “Well I’m not passing that up, how about you Barb?” Xinyan asked. Barbara hummed. “Sounds lovely!” “Ah perfect! To the gathering of musicians we go!” Itto cheered, though he stood in place.
“Oh well I guess I’ll see you later then?” Lumine spoke.
“Yeah you too!” Barbara smiled as she waved, watching Lumine and captain Beidou leave...
“So why did I see you and Ninnguang holding hands during that song...?” She heard Lumine ask though she only heard the first few words before the name drop.
“Yeah for me and my gang’s performance we decided to do a drum-along, the audience was supposed to join along but we only had enough mora to get drums for the four of us, well we had five but Shinobu didn’t want to join us on stage so that was a bummer” Itto explained.
“Huh” Kazuha replied, earlier having done a flute performance against popular belief.
“Hehe yeah I was originally going to go for a simple strings approach until I went with Xinyan’s type” Barbara explained. “So why didn’t you?” A nice singer named Yun Jin asked.
“Well-”
A dinging would soon attract everyone’s attention.
“Ahem”
“For starters I would like to thank everyone who came by to support, and perform during this years Iridescence Tour. Each of your performances was spectacular, and awe-inspiring” Mr. Dvorak began, who actually did the opening performance himself. Receiving a set of claps for himself and everyone else here. “Thank you, thank you...” he chuckled. “Granted this wasn’t really a tour perse’ but more of a testfire...”
“And what we have done tonight has set a new standard for entertainment in Teyvat, and has proven the success that this festival can hold across many nations”
“As such due to the success of this years festival I can assure you all that next year we have the go ahead to fully organize a complete Iridescence Tour!”
Everyone cheered at that.
“So a toast, to the future of this festival, and the longevity of music”
Everyone raised their glasses in the air and clinked with one another-
(crash)
Everyone looked over seeing Itto’s glass smashed. “Hehe cheers...?”
“... CHEERS!”
The afterparty was a blast. Everyone getting together to celebrate each other’s musical talents no matter their varying skills. Some of them were even playing music as they celebrated, she was even workshopping a duet with two nice ladies named Hu Tao and Yanfei who did a rap earlier.
But eventually everyone went their separate ways, having to go home at some point.
“Ah shoot where are me and my bro’s gonna stay?” Itto spoke.
Saying goodbye to everyone she began her walk home, luckily she knew how to use those waypoint monoliths now so she’d be home in a flash. But as she walked out of the city she could have sworn she heard extra footsteps upon the wood-
“Barbara!”
She breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing a familiar voice.
“How was the afterparty?” Lumine asked, catching up.
“Oh it was a great time, everyone had fun- OH! And guess what they’re doing another one next year!”
Lumine had a smile. “About time they had success”
“Everyone was so supportive and kind to each other, I can’t wait to see what we can do”
“Yeah can’t wait... maybe I should pick up music too” Lumine mused.
The two appeared on the hills in front of the Monstadt Bridge. “Yeah I know a couple of string instruments” Lumine replied. Barbara steeled herself. “Well um could you help me with a song sometime?” Lumine nodded. “I’d be happy too”
“I uh didn’t mean right now...” Lumine spoke as they sat on her balcony.
“Oh please? I’m really inspired right now” Barbara pleaded.
She sighed. “Alright but I’m not doing any singing” she said as she reached for her strings.
Barbara looked at her. “Barbara I’m like really terrible last time I sang I got attacked by Whopperflowers” she pleaded. Barbara pouted. “Ugh fine... no promises though”
“Oh perfect here’s your lines” Barbara handed them over-
“Oh come on...”
“Barbara I can’t...” Lumine spoke after many cracks and slips.
“Yes you can, you just have to pretend it’s only you here” Barbara instructed.
“Or... pretend you’re singing for someone, like in the lyrics”
Lumine sighed. “alright let me practice the strings first before I go”
“I never asked...” Lumine looked up at her question. “I’ve never seen an instrument like that before”
“Oh this?” Lumine showed it. “I found it on one of my travels here, I think it's called a zither?” Lumine answered. “That’s a funny looking instrument” Barbara replied. "Kind of is" Lumine agreed.
Lumine gave a couple of experimental strums before finding a suitable rhythm.
“Alright I-” Lumine paused seeing she wasn’t here. “Must have gone inside for something... oh well”
Sighing she mentally prepared herself before beginning with a couple of strums...
“Everyday I stare over there...”
“The bridge where you left...”
“A bitter reminder of... the promise we made...”
“Everyday I would patch you up~”
“Making sure you were okay...”
“Always with... a smile upon my face...”
“I wish I could tell you~”
“All the feelings that brew inside...”
“But as long as I remember you~”
“I’ll always... dream of you...”
“When the moon glows bright I’ll dream of you...”
“When the sun shines bright I’ll remember you...”
“For everyday you stay inside my head...”
“My shining star...”
Lumine sighed as she continued strumming, wondering where to go from here...
But then she began singing the next part behind her. She could have stopped, but she didn’t.
“Everyday I’d stare over there~”
“The bridge we left behind~”
“A fond reminder of... the promise we kept...”
“Everyday I’d patch you up~”
“Reassuring you were okay~”
“Never losing the smile upon my face...”
“I wish I could tell you... all the feelings that brewed inside~”
“But as long as I remember you... my dreams are always of you...”
Lumine had a smile on her face as she strummed along.
And so did Barbara as they stood side by side.
“When the moon glow’s bright I’ll dream of you~”
“When the sun shines bright I’ll remember you~”
“For everyday you’re inside my head...”
“My Shooting Star”
“My Shining Star”
They both stood there, unsure of what do now...
“When the sun shines bright I wish to say...”
“When the moon glows bright I wish to say...”
Both flushing red, looking anywhere but at each other.
“D-Do you wanna...”
“Can we uhm...”
they both paused.
“You know... when I first heard this song I immediately thought of Paimon you know...?”
Barbara dared to look at her. “But... hearing it all close and personal I got to ask...”
“Is this... about me?”
Barbara nodded. “I-I just felt lonely... without you here...”
“A-All of these lyrics... I wrote them, in my diary...”
Barbara had a small laugh.
“It’s okay if... if you don’t like me back I-”
She gasped as her shoulders were tightly grasped, face to face with an equally flushed Lumine.
“U-Uhm I uh... actually decided to stay here... because of you” Lumine admitted.
“R-Really?” she asked.
“Yeah... because of that I also... uh... even considered leaving behind my powers and um immortality...”
“Y-You what!?” Barbara asked, shocked.
“I-IF! If it means that if I...” Lumine paused. “If it means I get to... spend the rest of my life with you... I’d do it all again” she croaked.
“L-Lumie...” Barbara squeaked, beginning to tear up.
“Oh Barb...” Lumine gently spoke.
With no hesitation Barbara had pulled her into a clumsy first kiss, caressing her soft cheeks as she tasted tears upon her own lips. While Lumine held her tight, not letting go as she held their kiss.
Something new began to fog her mind as she felt the sudden urge to slip her tongue inside, making Lumine sigh as she pulled them inside. Breaking only for a brief moment of air before she began pulling them towards her room. “Barb are you sure of this?” Lumine asked, straddling her clothed hips. Barbara kissed her cheek. “I’ve... wanted to try this for a while now... if you’ll have me”
“Alright then...” Lumine smiled.