The group around Keqing was chatting happily about topics like the ocean, drinking, and performances, eliciting laughter from everyone and filling the room with a lively atmosphere.
In a quiet corner of the room, Shenhe and Ganyu sat together without saying a word.
The two silent "Bobbies" simply watched as the others chatted away.
Keqing and Furina were engaged in cheerful conversation, seemingly getting along quite well.
Meanwhile, Hu Tao, Beidou, and Navia appeared to be discussing a young man named Kazuha who was on Beidou's ship.
The reason for the topic was that Hu Tao also wanted to drink with them but was refused by Beidou because she was underage.
Beidou said that if Hu Tao ever visited the ship, she could sit at the same table as Kazuha.
Shenhe turned her head to look at her senior sister. Ganyu sat there quietly, her little head nodding slightly, like a child struggling to stay awake in class.
Shenhe blinked, recalling what Lucian had told her when he first arrived in Liyue Harbor.
'If you want to get along with someone, try giving them a gift.'
She extended a small finger and lightly poked Ganyu's arm.
Ganyu jolted awake. "Huh? Did... did I fall asleep?"
Due to the matters concerning the Geo Archon, she hadn't slept properly in days.
Shenhe continued poking her gently.
Ganyu turned her head, her face filled with confusion. "What is it, junior sister?"
Shenhe then took out a Qingxin flower from her Vision and handed it to Ganyu.
"Senior sister, eat this."
"Eh?" Ganyu didn't quite understand why Shenhe was suddenly offering her Qingxin.
But since it was her junior sister's kind gesture, Ganyu accepted it and took small bites.
"Thank you... mmm... junior sister."
Shenhe remained expressionless, blinking. How should I respond in this situation?
What did Lucian teach me? Think about what he said yesterday.
'When you receive kindness, you should thank the other person.'
No, that wasn't it. It was what came after. What did Lucian say next?
'When someone thanks you, just say "you're welcome."'
"You're welcome," Shenhe said.
Ganyu chewed the Qingxin while tilting her head slightly, observing Shenhe.
Why does it feel like there's a slight pause in Shenhe's words? I don't remember her speaking like this before.
Though we didn't talk much before... Sigh, I've really been a negligent senior sister. I should communicate with her properly.
"Junior sister, are you settling in well in Liyue Harbor?" Ganyu asked.
Settling in? Shenhe pondered how to answer.
What did Lucian say earlier today?
'Minors can't drink alcohol.'
...That didn't seem applicable here. Oh no, Lucian didn't teach me this.
Shenhe tilted her head slightly and decided to answer based on her own thoughts.
"It's fine," Shenhe nodded.
"The mortal world is noisy, but also interesting. I like it." Her gaze drifted toward the window.
The Jade Chamber felt like a realm of the adepti, giving her a sense of detachment from the mundane world.
But to her, this place... wasn't as comforting as Lucian's home.
"I'm glad you like it, junior sister." Ganyu smiled warmly.
Shenhe looked at Ganyu's smile, feeling a faint warmth in her heart—though it quickly faded.
It reminded her of the feeling she had when Lucian patted her head.
"What about you, senior sister?" Shenhe asked in return.
"Me?" Ganyu was taken aback, not expecting Shenhe to turn the question back on her.
She had assumed Shenhe wouldn't care about her feelings. It seems my junior sister really has changed.
"As for me... I think Liyue Harbor is wonderful."
Ganyu also looked out the window, watching the drifting clouds.
"I really like it here."
Hearing this, Shenhe stared at Ganyu silently for a moment before speaking.
"I see. I always sense a hint of loneliness in you, senior sister."
"I thought you were like me—struggling to adapt to the mortal world."
Ganyu was inwardly surprised. Who would've thought my seemingly aloof and socially inexperienced junior sister could read people so accurately?
Perhaps it was because Shenhe could relate to that same loneliness.
"Junior sister, next time, let's drink the dew from Glaze Lilies together."
Shenhe nodded.
And so, the two beauties made plans to drink dew together next time.
To an uninformed bystander, it might've looked like Lucian wasn't feeding Shenhe properly, forcing her to resort to drinking dew.
Speaking of treating others, Charlotte had a lot to say on the matter.
After finishing her photography session, she had spotted Lucian and the others and wanted to repay him for the meal she owed him in Liyue.
But then the Qixing intercepted and took Lucian away before she could.
"Lumine, do you think I'll ever get the chance to treat him to that meal?" Charlotte sighed.
As it turned out, she was currently with Lumine, who hadn't gone with the Qixing to find Lucian. Since she was already staying at Lucian's place, there was no need for her to seek him out again.
After speaking with the Qixing, she decided to go her own way.
"You can treat me instead~!" Paimon grinned, rubbing her hands together.
"Next time, little Paimon," Charlotte chuckled.
"Lumine, did you get any information about your brother?" Charlotte asked.
Lumine nodded. "I did. That idiot's still alive, so I can take my time with my journey."
"That's good. As long as your family is safe. So, what will you do next?"
"Go see my friends in Mondstadt." Lumine's gaze turned toward the direction of the music.
"Alright. I'd love to join you, but I need to sort through the photos I just took, so I'll head back to the inn first. Bye!" Charlotte left.
After saying goodbye to Charlotte, Paimon said, "Let's go find Tone-Deaf Bard!"
"Hmph, this music, and the feel of the wind... It's definitely him!"
The two arrived at the source of the music, but there was nothing there.
"That's weird. I was sure it came from here?" Paimon tilted her head in thought.
Lumine narrowed her eyes and noticed a swirling gust of Anemo blocking their vision.
She reached out to touch it—and her hand passed right through.
Stepping into the barrier, Lumine saw Venti playing his flute. He blinked at them as they entered.
The short green figure turned to glance at Lumine and gave a slight nod in greeting.
Beside him, an elderly woman wore a kind smile, humming along to the tune as if delighted by the scene.
Next to her stood an enormous bird, taller than a person.
"Whoa, that's a huge bird!" Paimon exclaimed.
The bird glanced at Paimon and was the first to speak.
"Outrageous! What do you mean, 'huge bird'!? This one is the adeptus Cloud Retainer!"
"I wondered who had barged in, but it's just the Traveler."
Cloud Retainer had never met Lumine before, but the combination of a golden-haired girl and a white-haired floating companion was hard to miss.
With a flick, Cloud Retainer transformed back into human form. If the visitor was the Traveler, there was no need to maintain the disguise.
The last person present was Zhongli. Though Lumine had never met him before, she recognized him based on the descriptions in Lucian's book.
Among the group, Madame Ping, Xiao, and Zhongli seemed the most reliable—but Madame Ping was too old, Xiao was too short, leaving only Zhongli as the one matching the book's depiction.
"Traveler, welcome to Liyue," Zhongli said with a smile.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Traveler: About Aether · Part 1
Paimon: "It's great that your brother is okay~!"
Lumine: "Yeah."
Paimon: "After you find him, will you leave?"
Lumine: "I think so. But I'll walk the path he walked first. That day won't come too soon."
Paimon: "But... I'll really miss you..."
Lumine: "...Me too."