On the dawn of a new day, I found myself walking through the streets of Fontaine, enjoying a cup of warm tea as I watched the skies slowly be painted orange by the rising sun.
Nearly a week had gone by since the All-Devouring Narwhal had been brought down, and I'd say Fontaine was beginning to regain some of the glamour it used to show. The daily newspaper began appearing once more, people began walking the streets, and the theaters opened once more. Everything was still slow—afraid that their peace would break once more—but things were returning to normal.
For that week, I'd…barely gone outside. Not for any particular reason; I just didn't find a reason to explore or interact with Fontaine. Instead I was busy with either training Childe, or sharing stories with Furina, or having surprisingly pleasant conversations with Arlecchino. During this period, I practically became an unofficial guest of the House of the Hearth.
And it was rather lovely, if I had to say! The 'me' of the past had never interacted with the House before, having been conservative due to their connection to the Fatui. But I'm glad I did—Freminet's enthusiasm about learning easily matched mine, and it was always a pleasure to watch Lyney and Lynette go about their practice for their magic tricks.
But a week was still a week, and I admit I was going rather stir crazy during it all. So I finally decided to head and get a cup of tea. Not coffee—never coffee. I tried that once, and I nearly spat that black water out. I couldn't understand why Freminet seemed to enjoy that accursed thing, especially during mornings of all times.
As I continued my aimless walk around Fontaine, it didn't take long before I began hearing whispers from the few commonfolk who'd risen early like I did. They saw me walk by, and they clearly remembered what they'd seen me do during the trial. They spoke in hushed tones filled with suspicion and awe, nearly all drowned in fear.
And you know that? As twisted as it may sound, I prefer this compared to the constant reverence I received from my people. Because at least here all I needed to do was send a glance at them to make them realize I could hear them, and those whispers turn silent near-immediately. Sadly that wasn't something I could do back home. If I tried the same, I would probably trigger a cascade of cheers.
"Y-You're that weird journalist!" A squeaky voice suddenly called, and I hummed as I stopped and turned.
And indeed, the one who had called me was the strange fairy-like being that was by Aether's side at all times. I raised an eyebrow at her. "You are…Paimon, are you not?" I asked, tone even as I took a sip. I then glanced at the Traveler next to her. "And you are the Traveler, I believe?"
Aether and Paimon turned to one another for a moment, before Paimon nodded. "Y-Yeah! That's us!" She said, though her initial confidence seemed to have drained away as I kept staring at her. "It's-, um, good morning?"
…
Ha. How funny.
"Good morning." I said, my smile rather cold. Paimon flinched, and even Aether had to take a step forward, his hand in front of her. I huffed. "There is no reason to worry, Traveler. I wish no harm upon your companion." Not directly at least. "I am simply…displeased in regards to what you've done to a friend of mine."
Aether finally spoke. "It was the best choice." He said without regret. "We know little about her, and she refused to speak." There was no regret in his voice; born from experience over his millenia of living.
I nearly sighed. Yes, I could see why Lumine spoke of him with such praise. He would certainly make a good king. "Indeed, and I do not blame you for that." And that was true, because at least unlike the Ludex of the Champion Duelist, Aether had no reason to care. He began this journey to find Lumine—he had no obligation to help these folks. "But a lack of blame does not dissolve the feelings of the heart."
Aether and I stared at one another for quite some time, while Paimon's eyes worriedly moved from him to me over and over.
"You're not him." Aether finally said, eyes slightly narrowed.
I smiled evenly. "Or perhaps he is not who you think he is." I said, realizing that another person had now compared me to this Barbatos. Ha, I really do need to take a visit there. Only then would I understand why so many people compared me to him. Hopefully the Ludex could stop dallying in regards to the letter I sent him nearly a week ago.
The atmosphere between us remained tense for some time, before an idea came to my mind. A…devious one, even. But I stopped myself from immediately doing it. After all, even if Aether had hurt Furina, he was perhaps the one person who had reason to do so.
…nah, it'll be funny. And I'm sure Lumine would find it just as hilarious if she heard this.
I turned towards a random street. "Let us enjoy a walk, shall we? The morning has only just begun, after all." Aether narrowed his eyes at me, before he slowly nodded. And soon we were walking down some random street that'd suddenly become rather empty. I pretended not to see the people hiding as we walked by.
"Tell me, Traveler." I began casually. "I assume you've at least met your sister once during your travels, no?"
His eyes immediately sharpened. "You know her?" He whispered, as if afraid that this moment would shatter like an illusion.
I stared at him for a moment. "Hmm, I do." I said simply. It wasn't quite the truth, but I assume the Lumine in this Teyvat was at least somewhat similar to the one I knew. "She likely doesn't remember me as I am now, but I do have the tendency to change how I look from time to time." I smiled simply. "One could not remain a single identity for too long without attracting unwanted attention."
"What happened to her?" He asked.
I looked away for a moment. A sudden well of knowledge appeared at the forefront of my mind, and suddenly I felt rather sick. Because I suddenly understood what would've happened had I not been the one to catch her when she fell from the False Sky. What she would've seen and experienced, before the corrupting darkness would swallow her whole.
And following that disgust, came anger. A surge of wrath so powerful it took me all my strength to stop myself from acting. Before, I'd never really felt anything about the Abyss. It'd been nothing more than a strange realm I visited from time to time. But now, having learnt what laid within and what it would do in the future-
Yes. Both Celestia and the Abyss had to go.
"Ms. Vivianne?" Paimon's shaky voice shook me out of my thoughts, and I turned to them. They stared at me, Paimon's skin pale, while Aether was tensely waiting for me to respond.
I-, smiled. "Apologies. Your question has brought up…unpleasant memories." I shook my head. I could digest the rest of what I just remembered later. "But as she is now, she stands as the lynchpin of the Abyss; their first strike against the rule of the Heavens." I gazed at the sky. "War awaits at the horizon, Traveler."
Aether fell silent. Clearly he too understood the gravity of what would follow, and how his sister was involved in all of this. "So this journey was pointless." He said simply, though surprisingly he didn't sound regretful in the slightest.
I shrugged. "Does an Adventure need to have a meaning?" I said back. "Could the Adventure itself not be the purpose?"
"Maybe."
We fell silent for some time, before I sighed. "Traveler-, no, Aether." He turned to me, surprised that I knew his name. "Perhaps it is…presumptios of me to say this, but someday, this journey will end. No Adventure can last forever." I gazed at him. "Enjoy things while they last, understand? And when they do end, savor the fact that they happened at all."
I smiled at him, before my body suddenly glowed a prismatic light. Paimon squeaked as she covered her eyes, while Aether simply narrowed his eyes as he saw me smile. Then, suddenly my body broke into a thousand shards of light, before dispersing to the winds.
.
.
.
I heard the sound of Furina giggling, and my eyes gently opened.
The memories of my clone rushed back to me, and I smiled. To think I would encounter Aether during it—how lucky. But that aside, it was nice to have at least talked with him once. It let some of my anger die down at least.
While that clone was out getting tea, I'd actually been in the House of the Hearth all this time. Currently I was in Childe's unofficial training room, leaning on the wall while Childe proceeded to get himself thrown around like a ragdoll by the sphere of Anemo I'd created for him to train with.
I wasn't alone in watching him. The children of the House were cheering for him, having grown quite close to the brotherly Harbinger even in the short time they'd been together. Arlecchino was there as well, though she busied herself with reading a scroll instead. And Furina was standing next to me, quite entertained and awed as she saw Childe's relentless drive.
Just then, my enhanced hearing caught the sound of knocking from the House's front door. I hummed as I pushed myself off the wall. Furina blinked as she saw me move, but I smiled as I patted her head. "There is no need to worry. I just heard someone knock on the door, that's all."
Furina blinked, and then smiled as her cheeks reddened slightly. "O-Okay."
I nodded before I began making my way to the door. Once I did, I quickly used my Anemo to see who it was standing on the other side of the door, and to say I was surprised would be putting it lightly.
I fixed a calm smile onto my face as I opened the door. "Well, what a surprise." I began casually. "A good morning to you, Sir Ludex."
Neuvillette hummed. "Good morning, Barbatos."
I rolled my eyes. He still called me that, huh? Even after I told him to call me Vivianne instead. "So, for what reason have you arrived here, Ludex?"
His jaws clenched for a moment, before he sighed. "I have…read Furina's letter, and your suggestion." He said slowly, as if each word had to be pulled from his teeth. "And after much thought, I believe your suggestion…would be the best." He closed his eyes, pained. "You and Furina are allowed to leave Fontaine at any time."
I nodded, though inside I was dancing with joy. Finally! Gods, to think it took the man an entire week just to allow Furina to take a single step out of Fontaine. Then again, he is a dragon, so being somewhat possessive wasn't a surprise. Morax was rather similar in that regard.
But at least Morax was decisive when things came down to it. And he was a lot more handsome.
…ahem.
"...ina?"
I raised an eyebrow. I didn't quite catch what he said, but I could make a guess. "She is well, Sir Ludex. She is comfortable here, and has even made friends with the Father of the house."
And that was quite the surprise. I now knew that Arlecchino had once tried assassinating Furina, but it seemed that didn't deter Furina all that much. Perhaps because once Arlecchino realized her mistake, she apologized for what she'd done and expressed her respect for her dutiful act over the past 500 years.
…then again, maybe it wasn't that much of a surprise. Ei did try to kill Lumine before, but once everything had blown over, Ei practically saw Lumine as her second big sister.
Hmm, maybe failing to kill one another leads to a strong bond of friendship? Something to consider at a later date.
"...I see." Neuvillette said softly, before he turned away. "That is all, Barbatos."
I raised an eyebrow. "Are you not going to greet her on this lovely morning?"
"I have things to do." Was all he said before he began walking away. I watched as his back shrunk as our distance grew, and before long, I couldn't see him.
I sighed gently as I shook my head. "What a shame." I whispered.
The door closed behind me as I turned and headed back to the training room.