BAM
The door slammed violently behind her, making the entire library vibrate.
Lisa: "…... "
Aether: ".... "
Paimon: "..... "
A heavy silence fell over the room.
...
Lisa blinked in surprise.
Lisa: "Well…"
Aether remained frozen, her hand still slightly extended towards the door.
Aether: "..."
Paimon: "Okay, she's definitely in love."
Aether turned slowly toward Lisa and Paimon, looking visibly confused.
Aether: "What's wrong with her?"
Lisa put a finger to her lips, looking thoughtful.
Lisa: "It's a mystery."
"Young women can be hard to understand sometimes."
Paimon: "Hmm."
Paimon bit his lip to keep from laughing.
A few moments later:
After saying goodbye to Lisa, Aether and Paimon also left the library.
The streets of Mondstadt were bathed in the warm afternoon light, passersby coming and going in a peaceful atmosphere.
CLANG
The doors of the Order of Favonius closed behind them.
Paimon: "Okay, let's go to the market!"
Aether: "Yes."
"We'll get some chili peppers as a gift for Barbara... and some wine for Rosaria."
Paimon: "The usual."
Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap
They walked side by side on the cobblestones, the steady sound of their footsteps mingling with the chatter of the merchants and the laughter of the children.
Tap Tap
Aether seemed pensive.
Her gaze sometimes drifted into space, and her silence eventually caught Paimon's attention.
Paimon: "Are you thinking about something?"
Aether hesitated for a moment.
Aether: "It's just... Eula."
Paimon immediately raised his head, smiling.
Paimon: "Oh?"
Aether: "She was acting strange today."
"She left without warning, she didn't even finish listening to me."
Aether frowned.
Aether: "Do you think she's sick?"
Paimon's eyes widened... then he abruptly looked away.
Paimon: "Phew."
"That's good, he mustn't know yet..."
"...it's too soon."
Paimon started thinking of a concrete answer so that Aether would believe her.
Paimon: "No, no, not at all."
Aether: "Are you sure?"
Paimon: "Very sure."
"Hehe."
She smiled, a smile far too innocent to be genuine.
Paimon: "But you know… some things aren't illnesses."
Aether: "How so?"
Paimon floated in front of him, turning to walk backward, though she wasn't actually walking but floating backward.
Paimon: "Tell me, Aether."
Paimon: "What do you think of Eula?"
Aether stopped abruptly.
Aether: "Huh?"
Paimon turned around sharply.
Paimon: "Answer me."
Aether remained silent for a moment, surprised by the question.
He slowly resumed walking.
Aether: "I think she's…"
He searched for the right words.
Aether: "Straightforward."
"Serious."
"A little clumsy sometimes."
Paimon watched her intently.
Aether: "She pretends to be cold, but she cares deeply about others."
Paimon: "..."
Aether: "And she works hard to protect Mondstadt."
Paimon smiled.
Paimon: "That's all?"
Aether: "And..."
He hesitated.
Aether: "She's honest."
Paimon: "Oh?"
Aether: "Even when it makes her life difficult, she's learned to live with her family's bad reputation."
They arrived at a chili pepper stall.
SCRATCH
Aether took a bag while Paimon continued to stare at him.
Paimon: "You like her, anyway."
Aether: "Yes."
The response was immediate.
Aether: "...Uh..."
Then he realized what he had just said.
Aether: "Well...I, I mean...as a friend."
Paimon chuckled softly.
Paimon: "Hehe."
Paimon: "Of course."
Aether felt a slight warmth rise in her cheeks.
Aether: "Why are you asking these kinds of questions all of a sudden?"
Paimon: "Oh, just because."
She turned around, feigning nonchalance.
Paimon: "Let's just say Paimon is very observant."
Aether sighed.
Aether: "You're hiding something."
Paimon: "Maybe."
They then headed towards a wine merchant. Aether chose a dark, carefully sealed bottle.
CLINK
Paimon looked at the sky for a moment, then at Aether.
Paimon: "If only you knew."
Paimon: "Come on, hurry up."
Aether: "Yes, yes."
They resumed their walk towards the church, unaware that somewhere in Mondstadt, a blue-haired knight was walking briskly, her heart pounding a little too fast, silently repeating the same words over and over again.
A few minutes later:
Aether and Paimon passed through the heavy doors of Favonius's church.
The air was fresher, filled with the scent of incense and ancient stone.
Aether: "The church is still as clean as ever."
"I wonder if Noelle helps with the church's upkeep too."
The colored light from the stained-glass windows shone on the floor, creating shifting patterns that mirrored the clouds.
They had barely taken a few steps when a dark figure materialized before them.
Rosaria.
Rosaria: A sister of the church, though you wouldn't know it if it weren't for her attire.
Known for her sharp, cold words and manner, she often works alone.
Leaning against a pillar, arms crossed, her piercing gaze observed them for a fraction of a second.
Before Aether could even open her mouth, she stepped forward with a sharp, deft step.
SNATCH
She snatched the wine bottle from Aether's hands with disconcerting speed.
Rosaria: "I'll take this."
Then, without another word, she turned on her heel.
Tap tap tap tap tap tap
As she passed beneath a beam of light, Paimon noticed something.
Very slight. Almost imperceptible.
A blush.
Rosaria moved away quickly, her cloak flapping behind her.
FLAP
Paimon froze for half a second.
Then his face lit up.
Paimon: "Ooooooohhhhh."
Aether: "Huh?"
Paimon: "Did you see that?"
Aether: "See what?"
They both turned toward the back of the church, but Rosaria had already disappeared behind a side door.
Aether frowned.
Aether: "She's always so... direct."
Paimon: "Direct"?
"She literally snatched the bottle out of your hands."
Aether: "That's Rosaria."
Paimon crossed his arms, floating in front of him.
Paimon: "Yeah, but still."
"And then..."
Aether: "What?"
Paimon hesitated, then smiled mysteriously.
Paimon: "Nothing."
Aether stared at her suspiciously.
They moved slowly into the church, their footsteps echoing softly.
Tap tap tap tap tap
Aether: "That's odd."
Paimon: "What's odd?"
Aether: "Rosaria."
Paimon: "Again?"
Aether: "When we first met in Dragonspine…"
He paused, the memories flooding back.
Aether: "She was ready to kill me."
Paimon: "Oh yes, Paimon remembers it very well."
Aether: "She looked at me like a threat. Like a target."
Aether clenched his fists slightly.
Aether: "And now…"
Paimon: "She steals wine from you."
"And she leaves, blushing."
Aether: "Yes."
He shook his head.
Aether: "I don't understand."
Paimon: "He's really slow."
They approached the altar, searching for Barbara.
The church was surprisingly quiet; only a few nuns were silently going about their business.
Aether: "Barbara?"
No answer.
A nun approached them, her hands clasped in greeting.
Nun: "Oh, Honorary Knight."
Aether: "Hello."
"We were looking for Barbara."
The nun smiled with a hint of compassion.
Nun: "She's gone into hiding."
Paimon: "Hiding?"
Nun: "Yes."
"Some admirers have invaded the area around the church again."
Aether sighed.
Aether: "Again…"
Sister: "Barbara is very popular for her music."
"But it attracts a lot of attention."
Paimon: "Too much attention."
Sister: "Exactly."
The sister bowed slightly before walking away.
SWISH
Aether remained motionless for a moment.
Aether: "Seriously?"
Paimon: "Being an idol isn't all it's cracked up to be."
Aether: "She can't even have a moment's peace in her own church."
Paimon: "That's why she often hides."
Aether lowered her head slightly.
Aether: "I'll give her the chilies another time."
Nun: "She'll understand."
Aether and Paimon left the church quietly, the doors closing behind them.
THUD
Outside, the sun was beginning to set, bathing Mondstadt in a golden light.
Author's Note: This is an expression to say that it's mid-afternoon and the sun will set in a few hours.
The streets were still bustling, but the atmosphere was becoming more subdued.
Paimon: "So, what do we do now?"
Aether thought for a moment.
Aether: "We could go see Diona."
Paimon: "Good idea!"
They headed towards the tavern, where a familiar smell of drinks and wood hung in the air.
CLINK CLINK
Diona was behind the bar, arms crossed, looking annoyed.
Diona: A young lady who has inherited trace amounts of non-human blood.
She is the incredibly popular bartender of the Cat's Tail tavern.
Diona: "You again?"
Aether: "Good evening, Diona."
Paimon: "We were just stopping by to say hello."
Diona: "Hm."
She looked away.
Diona: "Don't think I'm going to serve you anything good."
Paimon: "We know."
Aether gave a faint smile.
Aether: "How's it going?"
Diona: "Same old, same old."
"There's still just as much drunkenness."
Aether: "Haha."
Diona slammed a glass down a little too hard on the counter.
CLANG
After a few quick exchanges, they left the tavern and headed towards the statue of Barbatos.
FFFFFFFFffffffffffffffffffff
The wind was blowing gently.
A green figure was lying nonchalantly on a bench, playing the lyre.
Venti.
Venti: One of the many bards of Mondstadt, who freely wanders the city's streets and alleys.
Venti: "Oh?"
"Look who's here."
Aether: "Good evening, Venti."
Paimon: "You never change."
Venti: "It's a talent."
They chatted for a while, talking about travel, music, and the wind that carried the stories of Teyvat.
A few moments later:
The sky was gradually darkening.
CHIRP
Night finally fell, and Aether and Paimon went to an inn to end the day.
The room was simple but comfortable.
CLICK
Aether sat up on the bed, letting out a long sigh.
Aether: "This day was... strange."
Paimon: "Very strange."
Aether: "Lisa, Eula, Rosaria..."
Paimon: "A lot of strange things around you, Aether."
Aether: "You think so?"
Paimon smiled, stretching out in midair.
Paimon: "Yes."
"Very clearly."
Aether closed his eyes, still lost in thought, as Mondstadt slowly drifted off to sleep around them.
And without realizing it, the traveler had just spent a day where many hearts had grown a little too close to him.
Meanwhile, on Eula's side:
Night had long since fallen on Mondstadt.
In the residential district, the lights went out one by one, plunging the city into an almost unreal calm.
Only the whisper of the wind occasionally disturbed the silence, making the shutters creak softly.
In her room, Eula lay on her bed, her eyes wide open, staring at the darkened ceiling.
Time seemed to stretch on endlessly.
Eula turned onto her side, gently pulling the covers up to her chin.
Her mind, however, refused to find peace.
Eula: "Is she going to tell him?"
A shiver ran down her spine.
She turned abruptly to the other side.
CRUMPLING
Eula: "Is she going to tell him?"
Her heart was beating a little faster. She clutched the sheets, her brows furrowing.
DOKI… DOKI…
Eula: "Is she going to tell him?"
The words looped endlessly in her head, like a litany she couldn't silence.
Eula: "Is she going to tell him?"
She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to banish the thought, but it kept coming back, more insistent each time.
SIGH
Eula sat up slightly in bed, one hand resting on her forehead.
Eula: "Paimon knows."
This simple fact was enough to send her into a panic:
- She hadn't planned anything.
- Anticipated nothing.
Everything had slipped out the moment Paimon looked at her with that far too knowing smile.
Eula: "If she tells him…"
Her stomach clenched.
Images flooded her mind, uncontrollable.
Aether looking away.
Aether avoiding her patrols.
Aether leaving Mondstadt without a word.
CRISP
Eula bit her lip lightly.
Eula: "He won't try to spend time with me anymore."
She took a deep breath, but it felt like she couldn't breathe.
Eula: "He'll do anything to avoid seeing me."
Her heart sank painfully.
Eula: "Or worse… he'll leave."
She sat up completely, perched on the edge of the bed.
TAP
Eula: "He'll leave Mondstadt… to live with another woman."
The thought hit her hard.
THUD
Eula remembered her conversation with Paimon very well.
All those names she had mentioned without thinking.
And among them… there was one name that had particularly caught her attention.
Eula: "Shenhe…"
The name slipped from her lips in an almost inaudible whisper.
While they were organizing the overdue books in the library, Paimon had mentioned a woman rather close to Aether:
The famous woman with white hair and a red cord.
Eula: "Paimon told me she's very beautiful."
She closed her eyes for a moment, letting her imagination reconstruct the image from Paimon's words:
- White hair.
- Light blue eyes, almost icy.
- A silent… and striking presence.
- And fine clothes... very fine.
DOKI DOKI
Eula: "And... enormous breasts."
"... "
Her cheeks flushed slightly despite herself.
Eula clenched her fists.
Eula: "Obviously."
She jumped out of bed.
SWISH
Her steps led her to the small bedside table. She grabbed the lantern and switched it on with a quick flick of the wrist.
CLICK
A warm light flooded the room, revealing the plain walls and simple furniture. Eula slowly lowered her gaze to herself.
She placed a hand on her chest, observing it with critical attention.
Eula: "...."
"Is that really what interests Aether..."
She looked away, slightly annoyed with herself.
Eula: "What am I thinking..."
She put down the lantern, rubbing her face with her fingertips.
Eula: "He's not that kind of person."
Aether's face naturally came to mind.
His sincere gaze. The way he listened without judgment. His patience.
Eula: "Aether doesn't run from problems."
She took a deep breath.
Eula: "He always faces things head-on."
Her shoulders relaxed a little.
Eula: "Even if Paimon tells him the truth..."
She gently pressed her hand to her chest, this time without judgment.
Eula: "He'll listen to me."
She remembered every time where he had supported her, without ever questioning her name or her past.
Eula: "He'll accept it."
A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on her lips.
Eula: "And maybe... he'll give me... a chance."
The tension that had been weighing on her for hours seemed to finally dissipate.
She turned off the lantern.
CLICK
The room plunged back into darkness.
Eula went back to bed, lying on her back with her arms at her sides.
Eula closed her eyes, her breathing becoming more regular.
Eula: "Hehe."
The next day:
From Lisa's perspective:
Night still enveloped Mondstadt in a peaceful veil when Lisa drifted into a deep sleep.
Lisa : " Hehehe ".
Her breathing was slow and steady, and a gentle smile was already forming on her lips, as if her mind knew in advance where it was going.
Very quickly, the real world faded away, replaced by a warm, familiar light.
In her dream, Lisa was in a clearing bathed in the morning sun.
She was between two sheets.
A large, starry blanket was spread out, and several cushions rested upon it.
The air smelled of hot tea and old pages, a comforting scent that immediately made her feel at home.
Aether was there.
Her blond hair caught the lamplight, and her golden eyes held a quiet gentleness.
Lisa approached silently and settled herself against him, resting her head naturally on his shoulder, as if this gesture were part of an old habit.
Dream Aether: "You always arrive at the right moment."
"I was just about to begin the story."
Chapter 4: The nuns, the cat girl and the bard
The End