Klee clutched onto Aether's cape while he read the letter that Albedo had left. It was Sucrose that had come running to him that evening to tell him that Albedo was missing. She had discovered the note when she had wanted to ask Albedo a question related to her research, but she couldn't find him anywhere. There was no telling how long Albedo had been gone and it was safe to say that the breath in Aether's lungs was long since gone. He was just left standing there with wide eyes as he struggled to take in the information in front of him.

Klee slightly tugged on Aether's cape, successfully snapping him out of his confused stupor. She looked up at him with watery eyes, "Um, Traveler... where did Albedo go?"

"Uhh… I'm sure he's just out researching." Aether crouched down to see eye to eye with Klee and forced a smile onto his face, "You know how he is! He'll be back in no time and with a ton more stories to tell!"

"Okay…" Her frown changed into a toothy smile as she slowly took Aether's words to heart, "Then, then… I'll show him my new bombs later!" Before Aether could get another word in, Klee had already bounded at the door… to do what Aether could only hope not to be more acts of violence.

Sucrose, who had been standing at the door with her arms crossed, then makes her way over to Aether. The worry on her face was clear when she asked, "So… do you understand what Albedo's motives were then… Traveler?"

Aether sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "No… all his letter says is the forest he's going to research in, but I have no clue why he would go there in the first place.

"Alright… um," she averts her gaze from the Traveler, "I don't mean to pry, but… did anything happen between you and Mr. Albedo?"

"..."

"I don't see why you would come to that conclusion," Aether laughed, but his beat red face told the entire story.

"S-Sorry! That's your business after all. I-I'll tell you when Mr. Albedo returns."

"Thanks, Sucrose," Aether said and walked toward the door of Albedo's office to leave.

"Wait, where are you going, Traveler?"

"My favorite place when things go wrong," he smiled, yet his eyes didn't move to match it.

…

Venti wrapped a lazy arm around Aether. "It's good to see you back at the Angel's Share, Aether!"

"It's great to be back!" Aether followed Venti's arm and joined the drunk bard by sitting on the barstool next to him.

"Alright!" Venti signaled for the bartender, "Several rounds for this fellow, please!"

While Venti shared small talk with the bartender, Aether's eyes wandered to the other patrons in the tavern. All of them seemed to be preoccupied with either the drinks in front of them or with conversing with the people around them.

Soon enough, a drink is slammed down in front of Aether. He happily wraps his hand around the base and takes a swig out of the mug. He hummed in contentment with the bitter, yet comforting flavor. "Say, Venti... I'll be right back, promise me you'll save my seat."

Venti frowned, "Aww… Aether! Where are you going? I can't drink the night away without my favorite drinking partner."

Aether laughed, "Don't worry, I'm just going out for some fresh air, start some songs for when I come back!"

Venti smiled as he grabbed his lyre. In a flash, he stood on top of the stool that he was sitting on, took a deep breath, and started his ballad. Almost instantly, everyone in the bar paused to listen to the bard. They soon lifted their wooden beer mugs in unison and with a shout to cheer Venti on.

While Venti entertained the bar guests, Aether used the opportunity to sneak out of the Angel Share's front door. Outside, a chill breeze awaited Aether, which he eagerly breathed in as he walked to Mondstadt's center.

Aether took another swig out of the wooden mug that rested in his hand. The alcohol in Teyvat was hardly as strong as the alcohol from back home, but Aether supposed it would have to do. He sat down on one edge of the fountain in Mondstadt's center and made himself comfortable. There was nobody besides him outside at this hour and not even the wind seemed to make a peep of noise in the dead of night Aether had found himself in.

In the corner of his eye, Aether spotted an all too familiar picture of a missing person. The girl had a face very similar to his own and a short bob of blonde hair lined her face. Her face also rested in a stern frown… an expression that from Aether can remember never seemed to disappear in their happiest of moments.

Off to his left, the sheen of a silver sword cut toward Aether in a flash. Aether tossed his mug to the side and barely managed to catch the other sword with his own. He attempted to maneuver the sword upwards and away from his attacker, but they were caught in a deadlock. Their strengths being too similar to surpass one another.

"I was just about to finish that drink, Lumine," Aether grumbled through gritted teeth.

The other blonde simply narrowed her eyes, "It seems I didn't catch you drunk enough."

At the same time, they hop back away from each other, breaking their deadlock. In what seemed to be a rehearsed fashion, they twirl their swords in their hands and flip their swords into imaginary sheathes, which lets their swords disperse into particles behind them. Not moving their hands from where the hilts of their swords once were, Aether and Lumine bow their heads toward one another. After a few moments, they relax and stand back up in a more lax position.

"It seems the boy you were interested in did indeed make his way to Khaenri'ah," Lumine said in a cold and calculating voice.

Aether groaned in frustration, "That idiot."

"How do you think we should proceed? He's useful to us, corrupted," Aether stiffened his expression at the word, but Lumine continued, pretending not to notice, "or not."

"He's far more useful to us if he's able to think straight."

"You make a far point. It would be a pity for one of the only remaining students of the Art of Khemia to completely lose themselves." She crossed her arms and shrugged, "Very well, I'll keep an eye on him and make sure they don't go too far. If they do, I'll alert you and you can swoop in like the hero you are to rescue him."

Aether sighed in relief, "Thank you."

Lumine glared dagger at her brother, "But you better not be letting that boy get to your head. Remember our mission here, Aether."

"Of course, sister."