Part 2: Intoxicated

His eyes slowly opened, somewhat stuck together by rheum. Aether's throat was dry, much more than his lips which he licked to some extent. The boy, pushing away the covers, sat up – face in hands as he rubbed away the crust that had formed in the edges of his eyes before heading for a glass of water. And as the cold of the floorboards reached his feet, Aether winced the way someone would accidentally step in the water barefoot, arms instantly jerking.

"Mmh."

The traveller exited his room, searching blindly for the counter, hands groping the walls whilst his eyes adjusted to the darkness. The drapes were closed, but a sapphire glow in between the gaps indicated that it was dawn, and his body – seeing as it was winter – shivered to an irritating amount. It was deadly silent, not even the wind bothered to blow, or the birds to chirp, or the leaves to rustle. Upon reaching the chilly glass, Aether idly gulped it down, throat still far from satisfied as he carefully put the cup down on the marble bar.

The boy had half a mind to sigh, but having done it countlessly, his lips compressed and he refrained from doing so. There was no headache but Aether couldn't help but pinch the bridge of his nose, his free hand clenching into a fist on top of the counter.

Indeed, it really was deadly silent.

How long the blond had wished for silence, only to be fulfilled at a time he desired otherwise. And even though he always asked the simplest question of why – purely why – the boy already knew, it was only a matter denying. Denying had been all he had done. Denying the possibility that her younger sister was dead, denying his innermost desires, denying the fault of his actions when Paimon had been injured. Completely denying – and now, anger at himself.

Why be angry at the world like those villains in the plays? They had done nothing wrong, they never watched – only they themself would have anything to do. It is the same for when you trip. It is because of the way you walked, where your feet were. Now, it was clear to Aether that things such as luck or fate never existed in the first place; they were merely created for the one who failed to ease their pain.

Did you lose at the lottery? Too bad, you were just unlucky.

No, you were not. It is because you had picked the wrong number is why you had lost. Even if there was no way of knowing, who said you could not go multiple times? If you lost, then try again. Circle every possible number, every possible combination, every possible way to win. As they say, never give up, right? To say that you do not have any mora left – even that was giving up. Mora is made by humans, it is not something that cannot be broken.

The phrase 'never give up' is a heavy phrase. To never give up meant you had to try every possible way to ensure victory, no matter how disgusting or seemingly impossible it is. Most will never be ready for that.

Aether shook his head, eyes gazing at the time. It was 6 in the morning. The Yuheng may have likely left, but he needed to check. Turning back, the boy looked at three doors. The left was his, the middle was the bathroom, and the left was Keqing's. He walked sluggishly, feet on the verge of freezing, and the door was slightly open. The traveller was confident in his notion, and so decided to peek in between the gap before opening it entirely.

Paimon laid underneath the sheets, asleep, and the young lady was nowhere to be found. However, there was a note on a small desk by the corner.

I will be away for most of the day. Take care, Paimon.

-Keqing

It would certainly be a while before she would wake up, so Aether decided to head off and take a walk around Sumeru if only to clear his mind. The boy stepped into the shower, letting the water reinvigorate his body, his hands running through his heavy face, his skin feeling as if it's about to slip off. The clothes he usually wore when out in the wild was washed and hung out to dry in his small balcony (although the only thing washable were his dark brown pants and a very small midriff top).

The same as the Yuheng, Aether had a bag he could materialise, which carried all his spare clothes and essentials. From what he's seen, only those with visions can do these – and since he could harness the elements the same as vision bearers, then he counts as well – and it was very useful. Although he had no idea of where they went, the same as Paimon jumping in and out of existence, they always returned. At first, he thought it to be risky – and Aether still thought so, keeping important items in his pockets, but he had grown to trust whatever it was.

Golden flakes appeared, forming into his bag, and the boy fished out a pair of black trousers, a brown trench coat, and a loose, white buttoned shirt – clothes he had bought from Mondstadt. Of course, because it was winter, Aether wore his scarf – but even if it wasn't, he would still wear it nonetheless. Just as he was about to wear his boots, Aether scribbled on a note a few quick words, putting it next to the young lady's so Paimon didn't need to play hide and seek with a piece of paper – not that she would even know he wrote her a note.

Going for walk back soon Aether

Stepping outside, a vile gust swept past his face, breath already visible. Aether brought his shoulders together, hands digging deeper into his pockets. On top of the current season, the city was also inside a colossal cave, with the only light sources being from a large opening at the top and just one tunnel into and out of Sumeru. Because of the time, not many were awake, but a few lamp posts were lit – but they were required to be lit otherwise it would be quite hard to see, even if there was an opening at the top.

Aether nuzzled into his scarf, eyes looking for a place that he could pass the time in – and instantly he took notice of a small building, mostly empty and lit with a warm orange by lamps on either side of the entrance. By its caramel-like paint, as well as the homey colours which seemed to attract Aether ever so closely without his notice, and the heavenly aroma which entered his nostrils, it was a coffee shop. He opened the door, a small chime coming from the bells as he sat atop a stool by the bar.

There was another man, currently indulging in a newspaper crossword, striking his bushy moustache as he thought, an occasional sip or two from his white cup. His eyes darted everywhere, and everyone, it seemed, was sat about two seats apart from each other. There was a bell on the bar, and he took care to poke with just enough pressure – the boy had lots of experience in doing so – to alert the waiter.

"And your order, sir?"

"Cappuccino."

In about 5 minutes, the blond was handed a lightly steaming cup, warm enough for his hands to return to normal. Aether wasn't wearing his gloves, not when it'd look like he had no idea how to dress. Well, the boy was contradicting himself when he was wearing his scarf, but that didn't matter. A clock ticked, the only sound truly relevant whilst there was periodic clink heard. However, if they wanted to sit not just one, but two seats apart from each other – even if they weren't going to be noticed anyhow – people like that, now including Aether, would set their cup down in the gentlest manner.

Even the man beside him softly turned the paper over as if too much force would make it disintegrate.

"J-just... be gentle..."

These thoughts weren't going away anytime soon, he guessed. Aether had wanted to forget about her, but that wasn't really the case. It's gotten so confusing lately. He wants to run, though there's no way of knowing whether he's going away or he's getting closer, and he wants to forget, but he doesn't want to, and he wanted to find his sister, yet here he is, hoping that everything just... stopped. The boy couldn't even trust himself anymore.

She was dead. There was no use crying about it. She told him that he shouldn't cry about it.

Even when he attempted to hold them in for her, try his hardest to keep his word, his tears still fell. So he came to the decision of imagining that his tears were nothing, that he really wasn't crying. Aether had mentioned it countless times already, but he always reminded himself that he wanted to cry – because if he actually did not need to, that was an insult, wasn't it? That he didn't feel so hurt because he lost her? It was an insult to what they used to be, or... what they would've been. Aether purposely cracked his heart, yet attempted to mend it at the same time – for her, torturing himself.

And now Lumine was gone, too.

It was getting more difficult to build relationships. It was a miracle that he even agreed to allow Paimon to join him in his adventures. Well, she didn't fight, so there was no risk in losing her, but after that incident, Aether was proved wrong. Fear, something he had managed to ignore and distract himself from, was slowly returning. The blond even felt that, after having met fear so many times, it was an old friend – and aside from Paimon, his only friend.

Yet that fear, even if only transient, was dispelled with an awkward chuckle from the bright night before.

And with a single stroke of her hand, it was over. Keqing had finished signing all of the final contracts concerning Sumeru's plans to build a farm just northeast of Wuwang Hill. A certain crop currently in demand could only grow at a high altitude, and Wuwang fit the criteria. The Yuheng had suggested somewhere in Qingyun Peak, but they had said that there wasn't enough flatland and the distance would be far too much – and the mountain close to Jueyun Karst would never be allowed to be built on, precisely because it was in close proximity to the Adeptus' abode.

Keqing sat up, gathering all her belongings into her purse and slightly bowing to the city authorities, adorning a businesslike smile – with them bowing back in accordance. Once the young lady stepped out, the night above purely black – stars weren't visible in a brightly lit place such as Sumeru, especially since they were inside a cave – she heaved out a heavy sigh, lifting her arms to check the time. It was 5 in the evening.

Keqing lightly bent her back, having sat for more than 4 hours. The Yuheng was kept busy for most of the day spending her time with the chancellor, forming a healthy relationship between the two in case of future proposals (the Yaoguang asked her a favour), although increasing her reputation was also of importance.

Though the meeting began at 8, she woke up at 4 since she was used to waking up at 4, and there would be no way of sleeping again. She used her free time writing drafts of responses for several requests of expanding land, buying land, selling land, buying properties, selling properties, and more about land and properties, and rebuilding or demolishing. or just constructing. She would type it later on a new machine called a 'typewriter' she had just acquired a few days ago, imported from Fontaine.

Most technological advancements came from Fontaine: her watch, the lightbulb (invented a few years ago), and the clocks and another device recently popular called a 'kamera'. Apparently, they're in the middle of making a machine horse, a wagon that could move. It wouldn't exactly be wrong to say that Fontaine's futuristic ideas were a ray of hope for Keqing. Who knows, maybe one day they will not need gods?

Putting her thoughts away, the Yuheng headed for the hotel, and on the way, she caught sight of the traveller and Paimon, sitting down on a bench. The blond looked as if he was about to sleep, eyes slowly closing before coming back up, half of his face buried his scarf. Others didn't notice her because of her disguise, being a different hairstyle and different clothes – otherwise, a crowd might assemble; many journalists came from Sumeru, having gotten a popular start from their food articles which apparently guaranteed a slim and beautiful body. She learnt this from Ningguang.

Keqing wore a rather loose white blouse which came together at the ends, tucked into a light skirt that was only several inches above her ankle tightened by a belt, as well as long, brown boots. Her vision had been, as ordered by her father, visible to the chancellor, so as to show power. The pendant-like object was quite small, and since she always wore it on her neck, the young lady used it as a necklace.

The reason she always wore it the other way was that she wasn't all that proud of it, therefore she made sure that it was as hidden as possible yet still noticeable if someone looked – because, yes, her father had ordered her to. Her light purple hair – save the bangs – were braided at the sides before being collected into a bun – a ponytail emerging from said bun since her hair was too long and laying on her shoulder.

Though they had heard her (Paimon looked her way for half a second), they hadn't realised it was her, and so Keqing walked over – momentarily surprising the blond – and greeted them.

"Paimon, it's me," one hand rested on her chest as the other held a red purse.

"So it was you! Paimon thought you were, but then the hairstyle and your clothes made Paimon think, 'Oh, it's not her'."

Keqing smiled; she tended to do that in front of Paimon, and in some cases, almost giggling – though the young woman hadn't done so in a long time. The traveller had now, prior to leaning on the bench, sat up straight, eyes on the pavement. Quite a lot were heading home, tired from work – and a few families were walking home together, a father and mother holding their child's hand at each side, their offspring jumping up and down as they pull on the arms of their parents.

Keqing could barely remember a time when something like that ever happened to her.

"Hungry?" Knowing Paimon, she would be absolutely craving food at this point, and she doubts the fairy had eaten yet.

The Yuheng was given an eager nod in reply, and so the three set off. Keqing said she'd treat them, which made Paimon all the more excited. She had heard Huixin and Baishi discussing restaurants they loved in Sumeru. Keqing had been waiting for the other members of the Qixing to arrive at Yuehai Pavilion, and rude as it was, she listened (they weren't experienced at whispering); she might as well have heard their voice a mile away – but that may only be because she had been trained to hear low mutters by her father.

They sat at a table for three, a candlestick lit in the middle with a few flowers dotted at the base, three circle placemats on top of white cloth over a round table. The blond took off his coat and scarf, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt before sitting down. After a waiter took their orders, Keqing made small talk with Paimon before their orders arrived.

And perhaps because the young lady still held guilt over the recent accident, she asked if he wanted a drink, which he accepted – but Keqing never thought the traveller could drink so much. Paimon seemed to also be caught off guard, explaining to the Yuheng that Aether barely drank. He was on his fifth cup of Flower Wine (certainly not a rip-off of Dandelion Wine), yet the traveller showed no signs of being inebriated aside from his cheeks being barely flushed.

That is, until now.

His head was hidden in his arms, chuckling as he muttered something Keqing couldn't hear before he heavily lifted his head, eyes dreary, devoid of any light – as if he was dead. There was no sharp expression, no apathetic attitude, no blood on his face. He was lifeless, a living definition of nothingness. The blond ruffled his hair, covering his eyes as he sighed.

"I'm stuck... in this world, Paimon."

"Huh?"

Paimon practically jumped from her seat – almost choking – hands waving in concern, a nervous smile visible on her sweating face. "Uhh, w-what he means is–!"

"Do you think... I'll ever find, hah, find Lumine...?" The traveller's head fell back to his arms. Keqing had never seen Paimon so distressed before, and by the looks of it, the traveller let out something he shouldn't have – but it wasn't as if the young lady understood anything the traveller said in the first place. Besides, the boy was drunk, anything he said was likely false since he was under the influence. She sat, eyes a bit wide if only to match the atmosphere the fairy believed she was in. He was still chuckling, sat opposite to her.

The fairy seemed incredibly uneasy, and before dashing to wherever, screamed, "Bathroom!"

Happenings such as these only really happened in books. Now, the best course of action would be to ignore the blond, so she silently sipped on her own glass of wine – her first and last cup this night.

"If only she was here, I–"

The blond ruffled his hair again, grabbing a handful and pulling on it. His head went up again, hands and eyes set on the wine, but before his hand could reach it, Keqing grabbed the glass and put it on her side of the table. This time, his hand went for the bottle of wine itself, and so the Yuheng grabbed his hand instead of taking the bottle, which was inside a bucket of ice. The boy instinctively looked up at her face, still barren as ever.

"You've had too much," she said, although there wasn't any point since she doubt he could understand.

However, for some reason, his eyes – to a tiny extent – lit up, and his hand, the one that had been held by hers, moved up to cover hers. The traveller's hands were rough and stiff, but warm – and she felt herself relaxing under the warmth, not that she hoped to.

...It then cupped her cheek, his thumb going over a small area of her face multiple times. Her face felt warm, but there was no knowing whether it was because of her body or his hand – and Keqing could even say that it was, well, comfortable despite the roughness. No, maybe it was because of the light roughness itself which she enjoyed. How could she not say it was at least something that the Yuheng thought acceptable? Granted, he was drunk, so any other man not drunk would have been threatened, and she knew him. She wasn't stopping his actions, but she... sort of wanted to.

If she did take his hand off, Keqing had no idea what would happen. What if he just went back again?

The next moment surprised her. The blond smiled.

It was a smile – a warm smile, yet so troubled, similar to the smile Paimon had that night she asked why the fairy decided to come with the boy. Suffice to say, she was incredibly confused. The Yuheng had never seen such a change, and it piqued her curiosity even more. There had been many rumours about him, of how he was – yet to see... this. Keqing had to say that it was strange – extremely, extremely strange.

The next moment surprised her even more than before.

In the softest whisper, he uttered a name.

"Yulia..."

Merry Christmas!