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It was late at night; the sound of wind and crickets filled the air as the blond warrior leaned against a railing, looking out at the rolling hills of Mondstadt. In her hand she was nursing a glass of alcoholic apple cider. It had been years since she started her journey across Teyvat… She had met so many amazing people along her way; some were gods, others just people trying to get by, but all called upon her in their times of need… She had become a symbol in Teyvat that meant more than she could ever understand…
She has seen so much and done even more; sometimes it’s like a dream to her, one that she wishes to never wake from… Sure, sometimes it was a nightmare, like facing off against Arlecchino or Ei or going against gods she couldn’t fathom, but… Then there are times like when she cared for Nahida or Klee that always warmed her heart and made her smile even during the darkest times. When she felt like all hope was lost, someone would come to her aid, something that she at first hated.
She thought it made her look weak, but also she didn’t want others to feel burdened to pick up a sword in her name, but with time she had learned they helped her not because she wasn’t strong enough, but because they loved her and knew she would do the same if she was in their shoes. A quote she remembered her father used to say to her and Aether when they were children was that “Power doesn’t give you the right to turn away; it gives you the responsibility to choose kindness, especially when it's hard. " It was a quote she always took to heart and was the catalyst for why she always stepped into harm's way for others even if it was dangerous…
Especially if it was dangerous, but due to her doing that, it inspired others to do the same for her, something she now appreciated and savored. As her mind continued to race, it was stunted by a sound behind her. “Venti, I figured you’d eventually join me. " She’d speak out, and the bard would let out a soft chuckle before approaching the railing. "Heh, you’ve figured right, Traveler. I was hoping to catch you off guard this time!”
Lumine sipped her drink and eyed the bard; a smile painted her lips. “I can tell when you are coming from a mile away… Your wind has a unique and friendly feeling to it. " Plus, she had learned to watch her own back and be mindful of her surroundings, especially when she relaxed. “That tracks with you, Sooo Traveler… You don’t seem as conflicted tonight; you seem content almost.” He enjoyed these late-night talks with Lumine whenever she was in Mondstadt, but this was the first time she wasn’t seeming troubled or drained.
The blond-haired girl looked over the hills once more, then back at him. “That’s because for once…in a really long time… I actually do feel content when I first came to Teyvat… All I wanted to do was get my brother and leave; after the first few years, that feeling stuck with me… I enjoyed everyone I had met, but I tried to stay disconnected, knowing eventually I’ll have to leave with him… But now? Even when I do bring him back from the nightmare… I’m not sure I’d want to leave Teyvat." She had made this place her home; even with all its trials and tribulations, it was still beyond fulfilling to be a symbol others were inspired by and helped her keep pushing now more than anything else.
“Who said you’d have to? Despite the difficulties you have faced everywhere… You have found a home in each region and grew close to so many… Including myself… I honestly would really miss you if you decided to leave once you got Aether… I would ultimately accept and understand your path was over here.” Venti always struggled with growing closer to others; he always outgrew everyone he knew and had grown accustomed to the fading lights of those around him. Yes, he had other Archons he could go to or others who were in a similar circumstance, but that had layers of politics and drama… With Lumine, however, it felt different; she was someone he could just be friends with, without any politics getting in the way. “But what made you suddenly change your mind?”
Lumine didn’t answer immediately; she let the question settle upon her mind as she thought back, “A lot of things have… the people are a big reason; I’ve made so many friends that I never would want to abandon… But more than that… I feel fulfilled here… When I and my brother traversed the different worlds, it was fun and exciting… but” She paused, trying to find the world… “Left you empty, hm? "Venti would fill in the blank. “Indeed, I never felt important like I do now. I feel a responsibility and duty to Teyvat and to her people.”
“I understand that; at first you started off as a bird released into that got its wings clipped, at first you wished to leave the sanctuary and go back to the wild that you once lived in… But over time you grew to care for the sanctuary and the other animals in it and eventually… It made the thought of leaving painful… The dream to return to the wild never left, and it may one day return back to the wild, but for the time being… It stays right where it wants to be.” Venti straightened up from the railing, facing her fully now. “I am just thankful that I don’t have to say goodbye to you soon… But when that day does come, Lumine, I will ensure you are given a proper farewell and to have a proper tale about the hero from the stars."
The blond-haired warrior stood there for several long moments with no response; a few droplets hit the railing before a laugh escaped the woman. “You tone-deaf bard…. I wasn’t wanting to cry." She sat her drink upon the railing and stepped towards Venti. Hugging him tight. “But thank you… you have been an amazing friend…” The two would stay like that for awhile longer before breaking off.
As the night carried on, so did their conversations amongst each other, the drinks long forgotten about as they savored the time together, what was once a nightmare was now a dream and one that wouldn’t be ending any time soon.