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It’d been two months since fishing Paimon out of the pond, and Aether had finally told the small pixie why he was here. She had listened quietly, a rare solemn look on her face, hovering but a few inches off the ground. “So,” Paimon started quietly, “You’re looking for your sister, and you thought if you could track down some people and ask around, they might know? Since you’re both stuck here?”
Aether nodded. “But everything’s all wrong now, with my powers sealed.” He admitted. “Too much or too little, it's overwhelming. I was by myself, getting used to things when I found you.”
Paimon brightened. “Yeah, when you fished Paimon out of the water!” She bit her lip and shot into the air, clenching her tiny fists. “Paimon wants to pay you back, so Paimon will be your guide!” She drifted in a direction. “We should check out Mondstadt! It’s the Anemo God’s city! And even then, they’re are a lot of people and bards there, maybe someone there will know.”
Aether fidgeted. So many people in one place was bound to be overwhelming to his senses, but Aether had wasted enough time. He took a shaky breath and stood, trying to ignore the way his heart beat a bit too quick. Paimon gave him a bright and encouraging smile, floating away and motioning him to follow.
So he did. They traveled lightly, coming across a few slimes as they did. Aether took care of them without much problem, opening a few chests lying around and collecting the currency and gems within. Perhaps in the city he could trade and get some money. He was attached to his sword though, and his gear, so Aether planned on keeping those.
His armor and clothing was all he had left of Lumine and their people right now, in this strange world. He would not let anyone take it from him. They walked for a bit more, and by the next day Aether could see a looming city in the distance. It might take less than half a day-
“Look there!” Paimon suddenly called out, floating over to an edge of a small cliff to peer down at a small lake. There was a statue standing proud in the center of it, depicting a lithe figure cupping a small orb, wings spreading out proud and graceful from their back. Braids drifted out from a hood, and Aether was hit with a sudden note of familiarity. He brushed it off quickly though, crouching down and looking curiously at it.
“What is that?” Aether asked. He’d seen a few of the statues before, and the waypoints as well. Aether had found out the hard way that the waypoints transported him rather wildly and painfully when he focused on one. Aether was glad his memory was so accurate usually. He didnt want to know what would happen if he mixed them up.
Paimon tittered excitedly. “It’s a statue of the Anemo God, Barbatos! Mondstadt is his country, like Liyue is Morax’s. Come on! If you want to find the Anemo God, or anything of the Seven, maybe their statues can give you favor with them!”
Aether followed in quiet bemusement. While the concept of divinity was far from new, he was usually dealing with something more on faith. From Paimon’s attitude it seemed like the Seven were actually beings the mortals here had interacted with in the past.
They came to the edge of the lake, and Aether peered upwards at the statue. It did seem to hold a sort of power that tingled his skin, setting the hairs on edge. Paimon floated over it and waved him over. “Come on! It’s an easy swim, and Paimon wants to see you get the blessings of the Anemo God!”
Aether blew out a light, amused breath, and quickly dipped into the waters. He was sure it was normally a nice temperature, but the water bit at his open skin and made him wince ever so slightly. Getting out with his close dripping, Aether muttered a curse and wrung out his scarf and cape, huffing. The statue itself looked rougher up close, chipped and aging. Paimon herself was peering at it with barely concealed awe, practically vibrating in excitement.
“It’s certainly something, looks so old though.” Aether murmured. Paimon herself was nodding in agreement.
Aether stepped closer, and suddenly it was like the world was narrowing down. A hum filled his ears, and Aether’s eyes dipped into a half lidded look, blinking slowly. Paimon’s voice echoed distantly, and the hum in his ears grew louder and louder and Aether held his hand out slowly towards the statue, gloved fingertips brushing the chipped stone before his hand splayed across it. A light hummed, before bursting up, surrounding the statue and Aether. It swirled a bit, wind picking up and fluttering Aether’s braid around before coalescing in a green glow that sunk into his skin and armor, lighting up the previously darkened windows in a greenish light.
There was a moment where everything seemed to pause, before all at once the hum died and Aether jerked back like it had shocked him rather than, whatever that was. Paimon’s voice was suddenly like a siren in his ears, which were far more sensitive than a moment ago. He winced and covered his ears, shoulders hunching as his skin began to tingle and burn, just ever so slightly. The wind that previously went only like a buzz on his arms felt far more oppressive and stinging, biting into his arms in a way that lit it up in a dull ache and pain.
Shaking his head to clear out the cotton that had filled it, Aether peered around in confusion, Paimon floating much closer worriedly. She clenched her tiny fists and watched him with wide eyes. “Aether,” she began in a whisper, likely having noticed how the loud noises were hurting his ears. “Aether what was that? You zoned out all weird and then the Anemo God’s statue got all glowy but so did you, and Paimon thought it was blessing you but now you’re acting like you’re in pain and Paimon is so worried cause Paimon told you to get the blessing but-”
“Paimon.” Aether interrupted, releasing his ears and reaching out to gently hold onto the little faerie. Paimon stopped, her lips quivering. “‘M okay.” He reassured. “I don't know what that was about, but it probably was too many sensory things at once. I think I’m a bit more sensitive here than some places I’ve been. This isn’t the first time I’ve dealt with sensory issues.” Aether told her. He didn’t add that in those other places, he had his powers, and his wings, and his sister. Didn’t clarify that now that he had done whatever with the statue, the wind felt all the more biting, and that the feeling isn’t likely to go away.
No need to worry his little guide.
Paimon sniffs worriedly but nods, floating closer to curl into his chest. Aether doesnt mention that she’s being careful not to touch his skin too much, and Paimon doesnt mention the way his fingers are trembling. Instead Aether gives her a gentle hug, and then the two begin walking again.
It’s as he observes the glow to his armor that a shadow falls over them, and Paimon shrieks. “A dragon!” She cries, and Aether watches it glide into the forest ahead with no small amount of awe.
The two are quick to follow, Aether because he has no sense of self preservation - his regenerative abilities are still around, and nothing has killed him or his sister yet, he’s allowed to be a bit reckless, unless his slow aging is also gone too along with his near invulnerability? - and Paimon because she is also dying with curiosity and doesnt want her new friend to get killed.
They slide into the woods, coming around a bend to see the massive dragon perched on a group of rocks, and a person inching closer to them, hands outstretched and whispers on their lips. “It’s okay, now.” The person whispers, and the wind carries the words towards Aether and Paimon, the latter hiding behind the former with wide eyes.
There’s an overpowering glow to the person, greenish blue, and the air tastes like an ocean breeze, there are wind chimes blowing in Aether’s ears and his tongue tingles with the taste of a storm on the horizon even with hardly a cloud in the sky. The dragon is no better, the smell and taste of thunder and wind and rain clinging to their skin like a second layer. Aether has to steady himself against the tree, eyes wide as he tries to adjust.
“I’m here, I’m sorry I was gone.” The person continued, and the sound of wind chimes increases as they begin inching closer. Aether frowns and slowly crouches, shoulder pressed against the tree to steady himself, his eyebrows furrowing. There’s a moment of silence as the dragon begins hedging forward, and then-
His armor sparks and sings, and a jolt runs through his body, making Aether hiss and stumble, snapping a twig and falling onto his rear. The person turns around, eyebrows dropping. “Whose there-” They start, before the dragon shrieks and Aether is forced to cover his ears in pain. Paimon shrieks as well, and he feels her grasp onto his braid as the dragon flaps their wings and the winds tear into his arms, sending the two of them back onto the ground.
Aether thinks he hears the person cry out a name before the dragon takes off, and when Aether pries his eyes open the figure has disappeared into a green-blue light not unlike the glow now residing in Aether’s armor. Paimon peers around and when the coast is clear, darts in front of him with wide eyes. “That was so scary! If Paimon hadn’t grabbed onto your hair, Paimon would have been thrown away!”
Aether frowns and stands shakily. “Yeah,” he murmured, “That was something.” He pats Paimon carefully and looks arounds. “What even was that? It looked like they were talking to each other.”
Paimon nods with a fascinated look on her face. “Yeah! Paimon noticed that too!”
“Is that normal here? Speaking to dragons?” Aether asks. It wouldn’t have been the first world that spoke to dragons, or that had dragons even, but he didn’t know if that was normal here.
Paimon frowned. “Well, no not really, usually-” Paimon cuts herself off as she catches sight of something. “Wait, what’s that! Paimon sees something on that rock that the dragon was on.”
Aether looks, and sure enough there’s a teardrop shaped crystal floating on the rocks, red and ominous. Aether is already moving before he thinks about it, and Paimon lets out a startled yelp at his sudden strides. “Hey wait! Paimon wanted to look too but we should be careful! Paimon has a bad feeling about it!”
She floats close to the crystal as Aether scales the rocks, and crouches next to it with a frown. Paimon looks unsure, peering at it with a worried look. “Paimon doesn’t think we should leave this here but Paimon doesn’t want it to hurt us either.”
Aether hums and then takes out a thick cloth, wrapping the crystal in it and looks at Paimon. “You’ve got that space right? That you put berries in? Could you put it there without it hurting you or anything?” He asks, and Paimon nods hesitantly. Aether smiles and hands the tightly wrapped crystal to her, and watches it disappear in a swirl of stardust.
He wonders where Paimon comes from, that her magic gives him such unexplained nostalgia.
-
Aether is finally beginning to deal with the new energy under his skin when they meet someone new. Well, meet is a nicer way of saying “blocked by a soaring Outrider”.
What even was an Outrider? He should ask properly.
The woman in front of him squinted at them, placing her hands on her hips and leaning forward to observe them. Aether waved awkwardly, his other hand fidgeting with his scarf. “Uhm, hi.” He said quietly, and Paimon floated closer.
The Outrider seemed to relax at Aether’s nervousness, rubbing the back of her neck. “Sorry about that!” She said, “Like I said! I’m an Outrider for the Knights of Favonius and was patrolling the area when I saw you two.” She explained. “I’m Outrider Amber, what are you two doing here? It’s very dangerous, you know! We’ve had an issue with dragons and hilichurls everywhere!” There was a vague note of suspicion in Amber’s voice, and Paimon puffed up at the tone.
Aether blinked at the onslaught of information, and Paimon huffed. “Well we’re just passing through! No need to be so suspicious!”
Amber pouted a bit. “I’m just trying to be cautious! With everything going on, there’s no telling what people are doing. Treasure Hoarders and hilichurls and a dragon! It’s a lot.” She defended.
Aether rubbed his head sheepishly. “Uhm, I’m sorry, we’re just passing through, like Paimon said. I’m looking for my sister and I was going to the city to ask around.” He explained.
Amber faltered, her hands dropping from her waist. “Oh.” She murmurs. “Oh well, I understand then. Well, I will certainly help you out!”
“What?” Aether asks, visibly startling. Paimon shoots Amber an equally surprised look. “Ju-Just like that?” Aether had assumed that most people were more of a favor for a favor type. He’d encountered plenty of people like that in other worlds, and while there were those who simply helped out of the kindness of their hearts, something Aether himself strived to be like, he hadn’t expected to come across a mortal so willing and kind so soon. A few perhaps, but almost immediately?
Paimon, it seems, is also skeptical. “You’re just helping us out of the kindness of your heart? No strings attached? Paimon doesn’t believe you.” The little pixie says squinting.
Amber tilts her head. “Well yeah! I did come out here to take care of some things but I’m definitely wanting to escort you two over to Mondstadt to help you out! We can put up some missing persons posters!”
Aether stammered, and Paimon stared in unrestrained surprise. “I-I- thank you!” He blurted, “Thank you, it means a lot!”
Amber beamed. “Of course-” She paused. “Oh, Im so sorry, I didnt ask your names!” She looked over at Paimon. “Your name is Paimon?”
Paimon nodded. “That’s right! Paimon is Paimon!” She said, reverting easily back to the cheery disposition.
Amber looked over at Aether, who tugged his scarf nervously. “And what’s your name, Traveler?” She asked with a kind smile.
“Uhm, Aether.” He responded. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Amber’s smile widened. “It’s nice to meet you, Paimon and Aether!” She paused. “So you two are traveling companions?” She asked, motioning them to follow the road with her.
Aether relaxed and began following, peering at Paimon before smirking a bit. Paimon chattered excitedly. “Paimon is Aether’s guide for Teyvat after he saved Paimon!” The faerie explained, and Aether chuckled, making the two look at him.
“Paimon’s my emergency food.” Aether said, causing Amber to let out a startled snort, while Paimon froze and stared at Aether, a slow look morphing her features.
“You- Paimon- AETHER-!” She shrieked, charging at him suddenly, the offended look giving way to faux rage.
Aether was surprised at the laugh that left him as he ducked, his face aching from the smile that was pulling up his lips. Paimon looked a bit surprised at the sound as well. It was the first time he’d laughed since Lumine was taken from him and he’d woken up. Aether had let out a few chuckles, but this was a laugh that had rocked him, emerging from deep in his belly and had him doubled over.
Paimon broke the quiet spell that Amber hadn’t interrupted by huffing, crossing her small arms and giving Aether a playful glare. “Paimon will show you emergency food, Mister.”
The smile on Aether’s face widened. “Of course you will.” He murmured.
Amber giggled, and Aether rubbed his neck with a small, flustered blush. Paimon drifted up to him and dropped herself on his head.
Mondstadt- Teyvat stretched in front of him, but it did not seem too daunting now, with a promise from Outrider Amber to help search for his sister, and with Paimon a solid presence on his head.
Aether hoped, at least, that he would not lose them too.