"Say Paimon, did you ever notice there's a 3rd floor to Angel's Share?"" The traveler gestured his drink to the right of the staircase that the duo had just come from, catching the attention of his tiny companion. He wasn't joking, the stairwell continued to spiral upwards- but this path was behind a shut (no doubt locked too) door connected to several wooden beams that touched the ceiling. Still the staircase remained very visible to the pair.
"Wow, you're right! Paimon never noticed!" His flying friend went wide eyed when she followed the direction of the boy's gesture. "When did you?"
"Actually, just now myself. After all, we don't come to the second floor much." This was true. Normally after a hard day's work of commissions and dealing with monsters like hilichurls, the pair headed to Angel's Share, ordered some drinks, and proceeded to chat and laugh along with the other, much less sober, patrons. But every once in a while, they would come up the stairs and drink there, citing the noise and the drunk rambling. There was only so much company either of them could take before wanting some "alone" time. And it just so happens, the one Favonius soldier that typically drinks at the 2nd floor himself wasn't here today. So the duo had the table, and the floor, all to themselves which was nice.
"Ooh, Paimon thinks she could fit through those beams! Wonder what they have up there…heheheh…" This statement caused the boy to have a sinking feeling in his gut (not because of the drink) and quickly say something. "Don't you dare, especially not tonight. Diluc would ban us! Besides, I bet up there's nothing but supplies for the bar."
"Paimon knows that! Geez, imagine treasure being on the 3rd floor of a place like this." "Don't let Diluc hear you Paimon, he might ban you for that." "Stop saying that!" Even though Paimon acted confident, she couldn't help but look at the 1st floor through the balcony. If Diluc was actually looking back up at the floating ration, Paimon would probably collapse…or scream. Really loudly. Luckily, Diluc evidently wasn't looking at her when she floated over the guardrail, for there wasn't a shrill voice piercing the air. Instead, the swordsman was serving some kind of drink to one of the clearly-intoxicated knights. With this knowledge, Paimon floated back to the young man's side with a completely smug and completely unearned expression.
"See, what did Paimon tell you? Of course Diluc didn't hear us, he's busy with all the Knights!"
"Guess so. Probably best to avoid jinxing it though, let's talk about today's missions instead."
Just as they were about to begin, they heard the sound of the entrance to Angel's Share open with a creak. Normally this wouldn't have caught the pair's attention, but the specific voice from the individual that just came in certainly did.
"Charles, good to see you- oh, it's you Diluc. Ahem, good evening. How are you doing tonight?"
There could be no doubt who the individual was. The way they had assumed Charles would be behind the counter before coming in. They way that, upon seeing Diluc, their form of speaking became proper and concise, just like how someone would treat their superior, even at this late of an hour. Those 2 'hints' immediately ruled out Kaeya, Jean and Lisa. Barbara would never assume a person's identity before seeing them. Venti's and Mona's matter of speaking wouldn't be nearly as direct to Diluc, plus the bartender would probably let out a small sigh at the former. So that meant-
"Outrider Amber, what can I do you for?" Came the cool reply.
In the past minute, the blonde 'Honorary Knight' had put his drink down and walked over to the balcony along with Paimon, almost without meaning to. At the last sentence, he felt his legs start to move to the door on the 2nd floor that led to the balcony. But he didn't actually begin to take the steps needed until the next one.
"Diluc sir, have you seen Aether? I heard from Mona he was heading in this direction. I've also heard some of the knights mention him coming here in the evening hours. So I thought he might be here…Oh, but this isn't an investigation or anything!" Yeah, that was definitely Amber. Being concerned about people misreading her intentions, even though she was talking to someone who certainly knew them instantly? Who else would it be?
Nevertheless, Aether and Paimon were already tip-toeing (or floating) to the balcony door. Thank the archons that one Favonius Knight wasn't here today, he'd probably ask where they were going in a way that would lack any sort of volume control and blow the pair's cover.
"Aether? He's upstairs with Paimon, though I expect he won't be there for much longer."
Well so much for that. With any subtlety completely gone from the situation, Aether now took full quick steps to the door. Upon reaching and opening it, he heard the final words he would hear in the bar for the rest of the night.
"Ohh no he doesn't!"
Aether emerged from the bar and jumped off the balcony.