Lumine stirred from her sleep, the faint aroma of freshly cooked pancakes wafting through the air. Blinking groggily, she sat up in her makeshift camp, expecting to see Paimon hovering nearby, probably nagging her to start the day's adventure. Instead, her gaze landed on an unfamiliar scene: Paimon, her pint-sized travel companion, was gleefully shoveling food into her mouth at a small wooden table. Across from her sat a striking woman with white hair cascading over her shoulders and crimson eyes that glinted like polished rubies. She wore a fitted red tank top and sleek black jeans, exuding an aura of effortless confidence.
"Paimon," Lumine said, her voice tinged with suspicion as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, "who's this, and what did you do?"
Paimon froze mid-bite, a piece of pancake dangling from her mouth. "Oh! Hey, Traveler!" she chirped, her voice a little too enthusiastic. "So, uh, remember that weird book we found in that dungeon last night? The one with all the creepy symbols? Well, Paimon got bored while you were sleeping and started reading it. Turns out, it had instructions for this super cool dance ritual thingy that summons someone who grants wishes!" She gestured wildly at the woman across from her. "And Paimon was starving, so she wished for food!"
The woman let out a low, amused chuckle, her crimson eyes flickering with mischief. "Indeed," she said, her voice smooth as velvet. "Your little friend stumbled upon one of my old pamphlets, scattered across the multiverse for… let's call it entertainment. Greetings, Traveler. You may call me Lucy Satan."
Paimon's eyes sparkled as she piped up, "She's the Devil!"
Lumine's brow furrowed. "The… Devil? What's that supposed to mean?"
Paimon shrugged, her tiny shoulders bouncing. "Paimon doesn't know exactly, but that's what Ms. Lucy called herself when Paimon asked!"
Lucy leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms with a playful smirk. "It's not a term you'd be familiar with in Teyvat, I suppose. Think of me as… a being of immense power, akin to an Archon, but stronger and with more flair. My influence stretches far beyond this world, and my abilities? Well, let's just say they make your Archons look like they are child's play."
Lumine's eyes widened. "You're saying you're stronger than an Archon?"
Lucy's smirk widened. "Oh, sweetheart, I don't just outshine them—I eclipse them."
Paimon stuffed another pancake into her mouth. "Yeah! So when Paimon summoned her, Paimon asked for tons of food! And look at this spread!" She gestured to the table, laden with stacks of fluffy pancakes, glistening fruits, and a pitcher of syrup that shimmered in the morning light.
Lumine's eyes narrowed as a sinking feeling settled in her gut. "Paimon, nothing comes for free. What did you promise her in return?"
Paimon's chewing slowed, and she glanced away, her tiny hands fidgeting. "Uh… well… Paimon might've said you'd help Ms. Lucy with something…"
Lumine's voice sharpened. "What did you promise her, Paimon?"
Paimon squirmed, her voice barely a squeak. "Paimon… doesn't know the details…"
Lucy's laughter rang out as Lumine's eyebrow twitched in irritation. "Oh, don't be too hard on her, Lumine," Lucy said, waving a hand dismissively. "It's nothing too taxing. I just need your assistance with a bit of… maid work."
Lumine blinked, caught off guard. "Maid work? You want me to be a maid?"
Lucy's crimson eyes lit with amusement. "Just for a day, darling. Surely the great Traveler can handle a little housework, yes?"
Lumine crossed her arms, weighing her options. The situation was absurd, but Paimon's sheepish expression and the towering stack of pancakes suggested this wasn't a battle worth fighting. "Fine," she sighed, turning to Paimon with a stern glare. "But no more deals without me, Paimon. Ever."
Paimon nodded vigorously, crumbs flying from her mouth. "Promise, Traveler!"
Lucy clapped her hands together, rising from her seat with a flourish. "Excellent! Let's get moving. I know a shortcut to my place."
---
The "shortcut" turned out to be a dizzying swirl of smoke and fire that left Lumine's head spinning. When the world stopped spinning, she found herself standing in the sprawling backyard of a grand mansion, its stone walls draped in ivy and its windows glinting in the Teyvat sun. It wasn't in Hell, but a luxurious estate nestled in a quiet corner of Teyvat.
What was unexpected, however, was the outfit. Lumine tugged at the hem of her new attire: a frilly black-and-white maid dress with a skirt so short it barely reached her thighs. "W-Why is this so revealing?" she stammered, her cheeks flushing as she tried to cover herself.
Paimon, sporting a miniature version of the same outfit, floated nearby, seemingly unbothered. "No time to complain, Traveler! We've gotta clean this backyard!" she begrudgingly declared, clutching a tiny broom that looked more decorative than functional.
The backyard was a disaster. Overturned tables, shattered bottles, and mysterious stains covered the stone patio, while the grass was littered with confetti and what looked suspiciously like claw marks. Lumine gripped a power washer, its nozzle humming with pressure, and began spraying dirt off a set of ornate garden statues.
"How did this place get so filthy?" Lumine muttered, dodging a spray of mud that splattered nearby.
Lucy lounged in a plastic chair, sipping a vibrant blue drink with a tiny umbrella. "Oh, when I first acquired this mansion, I threw a little party to celebrate. Invited some Hellborn friends, a few demons, you know—good company. Things got… spirited. It was a blast, though!" She grinned, her eyes glinting. "You'd have enjoyed the succubi and incubi, I think."
Lumine's face reddened. "I don't even know what those are, but the way you say it sounds inappropriate."
Lucy's gaze lingered on Lumine, as if peering straight into her soul, then she giggled. "Oh, I see. Perhaps you'd prefer a demon who looks a bit more like… your brother?"
Lumine's grip on the power washer faltered, nearly dropping it. "W-What are you implying?!" she sputtered, her face now a brilliant shade of crimson.
Lucy leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "I'm The Devil, darling. Temptation is my specialty, and I'm very good at reading desires. You… well, let's just say you're a bit of a brocon, aren't you?"
Before Lumine could process the accusation, her instincts took over. She swung the power washer and unleashed a high-pressure jet of water straight at Lucy's face. "SHUT UP!" she shouted, her voice cracking with embarrassment.
"Paimon doesn't get it," Paimon said, tilting her head as she swept a pile of glitter into a dustpan.
Lucy sputtered, wiping water from her face and clutching one eye. "Ow! That's a high-pressure washer, you know! You're lucky I'm not mortal, or I'd be suing you for that!" She shook her head, water dripping from her white hair.
"It's your fault for saying such ridiculous things about my brother!" Lumine shot back, her hands trembling on the washer's handle.
Lucy shrugged, unfazed. "I only speak the truth, sweetheart. But fine, have it your way." She snapped her fingers, and a massive super soaker materialized in her hands. Before Lumine could react, a torrent of water blasted her, soaking her from head to toe.
Paimon giggled as Lumine stood there, drenched and fuming. "You two are funny!"
---
Hours later, the backyard gleamed under the setting sun. The statues sparkled, the patio was spotless, and even the claw marks had been scrubbed away… somehow. Exhausted, Lumine and Paimon collapsed onto a pair of cushioned chairs, a well-earned spread of food laid out before them. Lucy, ever the gracious host, showed them to a guest room in the mansion, its plush beds and velvet curtains a stark contrast to their usual campsites.
"This should suit you for the night," Lucy said, her tone warm but still laced with that ever-present tone. "By tomorrow, your debt will be paid."
Lumine nodded, too tired to argue, and headed to bed after eating. Paimon, however, lingered in the doorway, her eyes wide as Lucy leaned down to whisper, "Hey, want to know a way to make lots of Mora? Enough to buy all the food you could ever want?"
Paimon's mouth fell open. "Really?!"
---
The next morning, Lumine's scream echoed through the mansion. "You GAMBLED ALL OUR MORA AWAY?!"
Paimon floated sheepishly in the dining hall, avoiding Lumine's glare. Lucy, lounging nearby with a glass of chocolate milk, looked entirely too pleased with herself. "Ah, gambling," she mused, swirling her drink. "One of the ultimate evils of the world. Paimon was this close to rolling big. She lost three hundred thousand Mora, but don't worry—she won back seven hundred… which she promptly spent on snacks."
Lumine whirled on Lucy, her patience frayed. "And you tricked her into going to your casino!"
Lucy raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a wicked smile. "Tricked? Darling, I'm The Devil. Temptation and sin are my bread and butter. I was just helping Paimon rack up some good sin points. She's a natural, you know."
Lumine groaned, rubbing her temples. "Paimon, we're having a serious talk about your decision-making skills later."
Paimon pouted, floating closer. "Paimon's sorry, Traveler… but the snacks were really good!"
---
The air in Inazuma crackled with the faint hum of Electro, a subtle reminder of the Shogun's ever-watchful presence. Cherry blossoms drifted lazily on the breeze, their delicate petals catching the golden light of late afternoon as they spiraled toward the cobblestone paths of the Grand Narukami Shrine. Lucy Satan, strode up the shrine's steps with her usual style, her crimson eyes glowing and her white hair flowing.
She'd left Lumine and Paimon behind in Teyvat's mainland, their debt paid and their Mora… mostly squandered. Now, Lucy had a different mission in mind: a long-overdue visit to an old acquaintance who always managed to make her feel a unique way. As she reached the shrine's summit, the scent of incense and sakura mingled in the air, and there she was—Yae Miko, Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, lounging gracefully on a stone bench beneath a blossoming tree. Her pink hair shimmered in the sunlight, fox ears flicking on her head, and her violet eyes shine with an intelligence that could cut through steel.
"Well, well," Yae Miko purred, her voice smooth as silk. She set down the novel she'd been reading, her lips curling into a knowing smile. "If it isn't the Queen of Hell herself, gracing my humble shrine with her infernal presence. To what do I owe the pleasure, Lucy?"
Lucy tossed her hair, striking a pose that oozed confidence. "Oh, Miko, you know I can't resist the allure of Inazuma's most captivating kitsune. I was just passing through and thought, 'Why not drop in on my favorite shrine maiden?'" She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "Miss me, darling?"
Yae Miko's laughter was a melodic chime, light but laced with something that made Lucy's pulse quicken. "Miss you? My dear, I've been positively languishing without your… theatrical attitude." She rose from the bench with a fluid grace, her kimono swaying as she closed the distance between them. Her eyes locked onto Lucy's, and the air seemed to hum with an unspoken challenge. "But let's not pretend you're here just to exchange pleasantries. What's the real reason, hm? Another scheme gone awry? Or perhaps you're hoping I'll indulge you again?"
Lucy gives quite a dramatic flourish of her hand. "Schemes? Me? Perish the thought! I'm simply here to bask in your radiance, Miko. Surely even a devil like me can appreciate beauty when it's standing right in front of her." She winked, stepping closer still, her crimson eyes glinting with playful intent. "Care to take a little walk with me? I could tempt you with a few… sinful delights."
Yae Miko tilted her head, her smile sharpening into something predatory. "Tempt me? Oh, Lucy, you're adorable when you try to play the seductress." She reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against Lucy's arm, sending a shiver through the Queen of Hell's usual composure. "But let's be honest—you're not the one who does the tempting when we're together, are you?"
Lucy's cheeks flushed a faint pink, but she quickly turned her head, letting out a haughty laugh to mask her fluster. "Hmph! I'm The Devil, Miko. Temptation was invented by me, and I'm hardly one to be tamed by a mere fox." She crossed her arms, jutting out her chin in a display of regal defiance. "You may be charming, but I'm the one who rules Hell itself!"
Yae Miko's eyes sparkled with amusement as she stepped even closer, her voice dropping to a teasing murmur. "Is that so? Because I seem to recall our last meeting rather… differently." She tapped a finger against her lips, feigning thought. "Let's see… was it a century ago? You waltzed into my shrine, all bravado and bluster, claiming you'd have me swooning in no time. And yet, by the end of the night, who was the one blushing and stammering, following my every whim like an eager little… pup?"
Lucy's face turned a deeper shade of red, her facade cracking under the weight of Yae Miko's words. "T-That was a temporary lapse!" she sputtered, pointing an accusatory finger. "I was merely… humoring you! Yes, that's it! The Queen of Hell doesn't submit to anyone, least of all a sly fox with a penchant for mind fuckery!"
"Mmm, is that what you call it?" Yae Miko leaned in, her breath warm against Lucy's ear as she whispered, "Because I seem to remember you being quite… cooperative. Kneeling at my feet, hanging on my every word. Oh, the way your eyes lit up when I praised you—it was almost too easy."
Lucy's composure shattered. She stumbled back a step, her hands flying to her hips as she tried to salvage her pride. "Y-You're exaggerating! I was in complete control the entire time! I'm Lucy Satan, ruler of the infernal realms, and I don't—" She cut herself off, realizing her voice had risen to an undignified squeak. Clearing her throat, she straightened, tossing her hair again. "Ahem. What I mean is, you caught me on an off day. This time, I'm here to turn the tables."
Yae Miko moved and chuckled, eyeing Lucy like a cat toying with its food. "Oh, darling, you're welcome to try. But we both know how this ends." She paused in front of Lucy, her fingers grazing the devil's shoulder as she leaned in once more. "You can strut and boast all you like, but the moment I touch you like this… you're putty in my hands. Isn't that right, my sweet little devil?"
Lucy's blush deepened to a near-crimson hue, matching her eyes. She opened her mouth to protest, but the words caught in her throat as Yae Miko's gaze pinned her in place, those violet eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and undeniable authority. For a moment, the Queen of Hell looked less like a ruler and more like a flustered schoolgirl caught off guard.
"W-Well," Lucy stammered, grasping for her usual bravado, "I'll have you know I'm perfectly capable of resisting your charms! I'm here to… to negotiate a partnership! Yes, a mutually beneficial arrangement between Hell and the Grand Narukami Shrine!" She thrust out her chest, trying to reclaim her regal air. "Imagine the possibilities, Miko. The opportunities you can have!"
Yae Miko's laughter was bright and unrestrained, echoing through the shrine. "A partnership? Oh, Lucy, you're too precious." She stepped back, fanning herself with her novel as if to cool her amusement. "But I'll humor you. Come, let's have tea. You can tell me all about this 'partnership' while I decide how much I'll let you squirm before I take pity on you."
Lucy huffed, her cheeks still burning, but she followed Yae Miko toward the shrine's inner chambers, tempered by a reluctant acknowledgment: no matter how much she protested, Yae Miko had her wrapped around her little finger. And deep down, Lucy couldn't deny how there was a thrill of it.
As they disappeared into the shrine, a lone sakura petal drifted down, landing where Lucy had stood moments before.