A GREEN GUY THAT RHYMES

(Still during the vacation)

Aether and Lumine-4

Happy (late by now) Easter! (very late)

Paimon was, surprisingly, the perfect travel guide. Feed her, and in turn you were given a detailed report of all the latest news and interesting places in the area. There were ruins in the area? Well Paimon could tell you exactly what that pile of rocks over there used to be! Not that Lumine and Aether needed to know it used to be the most successful tannery in hundreds of miles. The little pixie had knowledge, enough that Lumine figured she had been around since before the Archon War.

;

Lumine and Aether made their way along the trail nestled in between a gouge in the earth. Paimon told them that the Anemo Archon Barbatos had smoothed the land and warmed the winds to make it easier for his people to live in the formerly unforgiving and cold lands. The Twins had already heard this, but it was amazing to see the effects for themselves. Aether and Lumine could not wait to meet this benevolent Archon. They had not yet told Paimon that they too were gods, it had not crossed their minds when they introduced themselves and no good time had arrived since. So they instead skirted around the subject.

;

"We're getting close to the capital city of Mondstadt! If you're looking for a place to relax this is the place to be! Paimon loves it here, everyone is so nice and gives Paimon free food! This city was built by Barbatos himself, a gift from the Archon to his people. The stone is infused with anemo, it reflects attacks. But that doesn't matter to Paimon, she can just fly right over!"

Lumine grinned and elbowed Aether. "If we ever attack Mondstadt, we can just send Paimon over the walls to cause chaos. They would run out of food in hours, if not minutes." She laughed, and Aether smirked. "Let's go feed our little chaos machine before she forgets we need to pay for it. I don't understand how she fed herself before you found her. She can't tell tree bark from carrots." Aether had slowly grown fonder of the little girl, not that you could tell. His emotions were still just as stoic as ever.

Lumine giggled. "I'll bet she just ate everything she found and hoped it was edible, and by eating enough just stuff she managed to get enough nutrients. It's probably how she knew slimes were edible last night. Weirdest textured meal I've ever had!"

;

The central plaza of Mondstadt was bustling with shoppers and children. Paimon flew over to a group of them and started making funny faces to see them laugh. The Twins took everything in, the happy people, the children playing in the streets, the bustling marketplace. This was a place determined to enjoy itself. Now to find it's Archon. Would he already be disguised and living with the people or would he be working to lead from a powerful seat? This was one thing they had not asked Paimon. Why, after all, would two siblings on vacation be looking for a god?

They left Paimon to her fun and went off to search for a presence too powerful to be human. If there was one, it was likely to be the Archon of Mondstadt. They searched the tiered city until they came to a large space at the top of the city. There was a large fountain and a garden surrounding it. A green clothed bard was playing somber toons near a gathering of benches. He finished the ballad and took a request for a drinking shanty, effectively lifting the mood in seconds.

He felt powerful to the Twins, more so than the people with the shining stones. Perhaps he was Barbatos, or was he only a particularly powerful stone holder? The presence of the stones had thrown off the Twins. They gave off an aura of power, but not enough to be a god. So the Twins loitered, hoping to see a sign that he was not human. They stayed and watched for hours, only giving up when the bard declared he was done for the night.

"Thanks for listening everyone! Feel free to pay me as gratitude for your entertainment! You can also pay me in alcohol if you're low on mora!"

He collected payment from the folks that were willing, and then turned to the Twins and walked over.

"The two of you have been watching all day, did you need something from me? I am willing to do a private performance in exchange for a few apples!~ Or was there something else?"

Aether looked at him and decided to go with his gut. "Are you Barbatos?"

The bard smiled and bowed. "I'm quite surprised you recognized this deity. Let us move this talk to a more private place, an important discussion I foresee. Meet me at the small lake to the north-east! Oh!, and last but not least, do take your gluttonous friend from my city of peace." He stopped rhyming for a moment. "She is really quite a force to be reckoned with." He looked slightly apprehensive when he spoke about Paimon.

Lumine laughed and promised to bring Paimon with them when they left.

;

The lake was small, with an island in the middle. Lumine and Aether flew over, seemingly arriving before Barbatos. The island was nice, a slow grassy slope. They settled in and gave Paimon lunch while they waited for Barbatos to appear. The sun was shining and a peaceful breeze was blowing. It was the perfect day to meet with a god and make sure they had no intention of killing you.

When Barbatos arrived he too had wings. He flew over the water to the island and landed softly a few feet away. Aether seemed unable to get his eyes off the feathery appagendas. Indeed, they were beautiful. They spread wide behind him, and were adorned with golden decorations. The feathers caught and refracted the sunlight around Barbatos, making them appear iridescent.

Lumine eyed her brother. Now was not the time to admire the Archon, they needed to get on friendly terms first. Then he could fall in love. She knew however, that he would deal with the diplomatic situation before his feelings and was not worried. Aether would probably ramble on about Barbatos later though. She would have to plug her ears and wait it out.

Barbatos smiled, and sat down. "Welcome to Mondstadt, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? I'm not sure I'll be much help, and I am not willing to take care of the little pixie thing." His look turned suspicious when he set eyes on Paimon.

Aether took the lead, he could be quite good at this sort of thing. He introduced them and stated their business.

"My Lord, we are simply wondering if you have any plans of conquest in the future. If you do, we wish to prepare our people for the future. We will not leave them to the zealous plans of a power hungry god." The Twins had discovered it was best to be straightforward with gods and leaders. Get your thoughts out quick before they could react.

"Wow. For two Celestia sent angles you are surprisingly hostile." Barbatos said, grinning. "I have no means of conquest. I would have kept my people out of the Archon War if I could. Your people are safe from me. Where are your people? I will steer far clear of them and keep my people away. It is never wise to encroach on another god's lands. Especially when they managed to completely avoid the Archon War altogether." He seemed a bit impressed at the end.

Lumine piped up. "We live on the other side of the Mare Jivari. It should be quite easy to avoid. We do, however, welcome visitors. Your people are welcome to come to visit. We simply do not tolerate invasions. You yourself are also welcome. We have plenty of guest accommodations in our home, My Lord." She bowed from her seat a little at the end.

Barbatos seemed surprised. "There is no need to call me lord! Please, this is far more a meeting of equals. And I may have to take up your invitation at some point. I will tell stories of a city across the desert, welcoming all who come in peace." He sighed, looking at the sky. "I'm afraid I must go. Duty calls and all that. The two of you are always welcome. Aether, Lumine. Do come visit. Especially you Aether!~" He winked at the beautiful god, hoping to see Aether more in the future. Who knew you could have a crush on someone who had threatened you and your people so recently? It was a new feeling for Barbatos, but an entirely welcome one.

The Twins smiled and thanked him. (Aether with a slight red tinge on his face) Then Lumine grabbed Paimon and summoned their wings.

;

Once they were in the air and on the trip home, Lumine turned to Aether with a grin.

"Looks like your feelings are requited. How does it feel to be in love dear brother?~ Is it, hmmmm, how do you put it… enlightening?"

She giggled and had to dodge out of the way when Aether blushed and tried to tackle her.

"Careful Aether, you'll scare him off~!"

-;-

Hello~ This is cross posted on AO3 and might be easier to read there 0.p

I explain things a little more over there.

I love comments, feel free to ask questions or just say hi!

I am super thankful for those of you who have read this fic.