AN /

I originally wrote this as 1 chapter, but with what happens I felt it was too long. Its has been split into 2.

Do you have any idea on how to make a decent Moon Pie?

Nope! Paimon has no idea. Hmmm, however, Paimon does know someone who does…

Really? Who would that be? Sarah at the Good Hunter says that she only makes them for special occasions.

It's Aether silly! Come on, he even said something about making a Baron Bunny themed one too when we went out earlier! Ohhh, Paimon knows what we have to do now! Let's go bug Aether. He should be at the Adventurer's Guild.

The elevator ride up to the Wangshu Inn was quiet and uneventful. After greeting the hotel staff again they walked inside the main lobby, and Inn's receptionist Verr Goldet greeted them.

"Ohh! Lady Keqing your back so soon! This is actually perfect timing, as the Traveler's companion just woke up. I told her that you would be back soon and that she should focus on getting more rest." It was at this point that Verr Goldet that Keqing had brought someone with her. "Ohh, who is this?"

At the news that Paimon was awake, Keqing smiled. "Perfect, looks like we are right on time then. This is Amber, Outrider of the Knights of Favonius. She is helping me with my investigation."

"I see, well I will leave you to it then. The Traveler and his companion are still in the same room over there on the left. I'll have some maids bring in some food when dinner time rolls around. Till then let me know if I can be of any more assistance, Lady Keqing."

"Perfect. Along with Outrider Amber, my understanding is that Mondstadt is also sending one of their best healers to come and take a look at the Traveler. When they arrive, just direct them into the room."

"Of course Lady Keqing." Verr Goldet replied with a slight bow.

At this point, Keqing turned and faced Amber. "Come Amber, let's go see how Paimon is doing." Amber gave a nod in reply as the two began to make their way down the hallway towards the main hotel rooms.

Once they were far enough away from the main lobby, Amber looked to Keqing. "Does everyone address you as Lady Keqing?" Amber asked with a slight look of confusion.

As the two arrived at the room that Paimon and Aether were staying in, Keqing turned to Amber and sighed. "It is what it is. I don't really care for the name or title, I just do my job. Even if I do tell folks that it's not necessary, they will still address me that way nonetheless."

"Anyhow, that's not why we are here. Are you ready to see Aether and Paimon Amber? I'm sure Paimon is just as lively as you remember her."

That comment put a smile on Amber's face. Whenever Aether would get in trouble for any reason, Paimon was always next to him, no matter what.

"Yeah ready as I'll ever be. Let's see how they are doing."

And with that, Keqing grabbed the door handle and opened the door.

-{}-

With a clap of thunder, Aether woke up. He was lying down in the grass under a small tree. Clearly, the weather had taken a turn for the worst. He needed to get to shelter. With that, Aether got up and began to look around.

However, something was off. Everything around him seemed…..unreal. It soon hit him that he was in fact dreaming. Vivid dreams were nothing new to Aether, though he hadn't one in a long time.

It had begun to rain slightly, and he wasn't getting wet. In fact, the rain seemed to just disappear before touching him. As Aether looked around some more, something immediately caught his eye. In the distance sitting on the edge of a cliff was a person with long, blond hair who was dressed in an all white dress. It really did look like that the person was in fact…..

"Lumine!?"

As Aether approached the girl, the girl began to get up and turned around. Aether froze.

"It can't be. Lumine? Is that you?"

The girl's eyes widened as she heard his voice and saw him. The look of surprise was quickly replaced with excitement as she ran towards him.

"Aether! You're finally here!" Lumine ran into him and gave him a big bear hug.

"Ohh thank goodness. I was starting to wonder if the Ruin Guards didn't hurt you badly enough for this to work. I'm putting so much on the line right now." Lumine let go of Aether and took a step back from Aether.

"Lumine! It really is you! But what on earth are you talking about? I wasn't attacked by any Ruin Guards…."

It suddenly all came back to Aether. He had been feeling really homesick and had been out with Paimon searching for Lumine instead of doing commissions. (Of course Paimon didn't know that, but small details) He had thought he had stumbled on traces of her elemental vision and when he followed it, he and Paimon were ambushed by Ruin Guards.

Lumine looked up to Aether with wide eyes. "Look, Aether I know this is really weird, but this is the only way I can talk to you. The Abyss are already suspicious of me. Remember that dream communication thing I was teaching you before all this happened? That's what's going on right now. I'm so glad that I drilled enough into your head for this to work." Lumine said that last bit with a slight giggle.

Aether glanced down at Lumine and surprised her with a hug. "I know I said that the dream communication thing was stupid, and I take it all back." Aether let out a small chuckle and let go of Lumine and leaned back. "So you're really with the Abyss? Are you really their leader? Did they try some of that mind control thing with elemental sight? Why are you so cold to me?!" Aether frowned as he recalled their last encounter.

It was clear that Aether had complete faith in Lumine, and she had the same with Aether.

Lumine let out a small giggle with that question. "Yeah, just the usual. Nothing we haven't faced before. Though it was much stronger this time. Whatever that element she used when we were up there really was powerful. I still act on my evil thoughts, but I have much more control. But I still have to play the part of the evil leader, and I have to be convincing. Sorry about being so mean and rude to you. You know I don't mean any of it."

Lumine looked at Aether with a smile. "You remember the Ruin Guards? Yeah, I passed by that area and left traces of my elemental vision in the area. I was hoping that you would recognize it and investigate. And you did. A fight with the Ruin Guards later and now you're here with me."

Lumine then began to get serious. "Look, we don't have much time. My understanding is that your girlfriend and that Idol are going to try and wake you….."

"Wait wait wait…..girlfriend? I don't have a girlfriend, Lumine!" Aether exclaimed.

"Oh yes you do. You and that Red Outrider has caused so much grief for the Abyss forces, it's not even funny! And from what I know, you are always with her now!"

That much was true. Aether and Amber had spent so much time together recently, and when he had first arrived in Teyvat.

Lumine sighed. "Same dumb Aether as usual. Look, when you wake up just confess. You know you want to. Anyway, I still don't really know what is going on and what the Abyss and other forces really want. I'm just playing along right now, and I think I'm doing a pretty good job don't you think? I'll keep working on it from the inside. Just keep doing you and follow the clues and quest lines I set up. It will help me as much as you. Now is not the time, but later okay?"

Aether thought for a second, and gave Lumine a nod. Lumine would work on the inside while he worked on the outside. When the time was right, Lumine would break free and they would take down whatever was happening to them and this world.

Lumine and Aether talked a bit more, mostly about Aether's adventures so far. Lumine also gave some insight into her experiences, how the Abyss worked, and what Aether could expect from them in the future. They were extremely glad to see each other, even in this dream form.

"Well, I think that our time is coming to an end. The Idol is getting ready to wake you, but your girlfriend is arguing with her at the moment."

"Lumine, the Idol's name is Barbara, and she's not really an Idol. But she does act like it. If you guys met, I'm sure you would get along with her and everyone else with no problems." Aether paused for a moment in thought. "Now that I think about it, maybe she is a Idol. Her voice is to die for!"

With a laugh from the both of them, they gave each other a goodbye hug.

"I don't know if we will be able to do this again, but I just know that I really miss you Aether. Just keep doing you and it will all be over soon."

"Yeah, I miss you lots too, Lumine."

Lumine looked at Aether with her head tilted to the side, a small smile of amusement on her face. "You're about to be woken up with an unpleasant cold splash. Just remember what I said okay?"

Aether looked at Lumine confused.

"Just confess already!"

"What! Lumine!"

And with that everything faded to black.