PAIMON? ISN'T THAT A TYPE OF FISH?

(A time after the end of the Archon War)

Aether and Lumine

The Twins had begun to settle into their role as travelers turned leaders. It had been peaceful for enough time that the twins had decided to go on a quick camping trip to the rivers and lakes of Mondstadt. They had told the people of the city and hoped no coups or explosions happened while they were gone. The Twins had enough confidence in the people of Sternenlicht not to blow up the city that they were willing to go far afield to relax for a time.

Rumors had floated across the Mare Jivari with the wandering folk about Mondstadt. An uprising had resulted in the ascension of a new and loving god. Though loving this god was, he had made it through the Archon War successfully. The wandering folk hailed him as the god of wine and freedom. They said he was a kind Archon, and had formed the land of Mondstadt to make it easier for his people to live in. He had built a city, an easily defensible place on an island. It was stressed that though the city was guarded against armys, it was welcome to all.

Lumine had heard of these rumors and decided it was time to get to know the neighbors. Or at least one of them. A nice and friendly neighborly chat about whether they would have to worry about invasions in the future. Y'know, the average welcome to the area! Are you going to be a threat? talk. Aether, of course, was just being a good brother and taking in the scenery. He knew they could take care of any threats that came after them. He was interested to see how the Archon reacted to two new gods that had not participated in the Archon War.

;

Mondstadt was beautiful, a country full of rolling hills and winding creeks. It was the perfect place to relax and explore after building up a city from the brink of destruction. The Twins plopped themselves down on a beach that looked uninhabited and set up a simple campsite facing the ocean. Lumine went to go see if she could get some fish for dinner and Aether decided to take a nap in the sand. Lumine laughed at Aether when he yawned and curled up into a ball by the fire.

"At least find something to lay on top of! You'll get sand in your clothes and complain all night~! I'm going fishing, don't get kidnapped while I'm gone!"

Aether just yawned and mumbled something like "If I get kidnapped I'll blame you. It's not my fault I'm tired after that long flight across that awful thing called sand dunes.

"You brother, are a wimp! Surely you're used to heat by now! We've been on hundreds of worlds much hotter, this is nothing compared to those~" Lumine was always up to tease her brother, he was just so easy. Lumine laughed once more and ran off to supply dinner. She had always fancied herself quite the fine fisher. Her favorite fish was trout, but she liked cod as well. Of course, there was no way to know which types of fish were here on Teyvat. She would just have to "wing it" as they say on other worlds, and hope the fish here were edible.

;

Aether woke up to an excited Lumine shaking him. He yawned and rubbed his eyes. He did not, however, get up. Lumine would be dragging him up if it was that important.

"Brother, brother! I found something amazing, you should come and see! Come on and get up you big oaf, it's been plenty of time anyway~!"

Aether was still tired, but now was not the time to argue, when his sister was like this he would end up doing what she wanted whether he chose to or not. She was a masterful schemer. So he sat up and asked what was so amazing that he had to be woken up for it?

"I found something that calls itself a Paimon! Come on let me introduce you to it! I think it's female, but I haven't really been able to get many answers out yet."

Aether's mind wasn't quite working yet, all he heard was "a Paimon!" and he got excited.

"Paimon? Isn't that a type of fish? Why do I need to meet a fish?" Aether had the most adorably confused expression on his face when he said this. It almost made Lumine feel bad and refrain from teasing him for once but no, she just wasn't nice enough for that.

"HAHAHAHAHA! Brother tell me more about this fish! Does it look orange when you cook it? Does it fall apart on your fork? Are you maybe thinking of salmon?!"

Aether was tired, and Lumine knew that was the best time to tease him. It was when he couldn't think of a good retort to anything she said. He was also adorable when he was tired. She grinned and called out to the air behind her.

"Come on out Paimon! I want you to meet my brother! I think you'll like him."

A little thing that looked like a faerie came floating out from some rocks a few feet away. It was cute, with silvery white hair and a pink jumpsuit with golden ornaments. The most interesting thing about the little faerie was the cape, it looked like starry space condensed into a petal-like decoration.

"Paimon heard you talking about fish! Paimon is really hungry, do you have any food for Paimon?" Were the first words out of the little girl's mouth. She completely ignored Aether and addressed Lumine with a hopeful expression.

Lumine smiled at Paimon and promised her a nice big meal in exchange for a quick description of Mondstadt's geography and political situation. Paimon promised the "Best Guide To Mondstadt Anyone Could Get!" She was a bundle of energy and Lumine had immediately taken a liking to her.

;

When Paimon finished stuffing herself she sunk down to the ground and looked around the Twin's little campsite. Upon seeing Aether, (she had not yet noticed her with how focused on Lumine and her food she had been) she shrieked and hid behind Lumine.

"Paimon doesn't know when you got here! Please don't eat Paimon, she doesn't taste very good!"

Lumine laughed and promised Paimon that the big scary beastie wouldn't eat her. She told Paimon that Aether was her brother and that they were taking a vacation together. Paimon's eyes lit up when Lumine said "vacation".

"Paimon wants to come too! Please let Paimon come!"

Lumine smiled at her.

"Of course Paimon! You can stay with us as long as you want!"

-;-