"A...teapot?" Jean had asked this question at least three times and Venti didn't blame her, the story was absurd, even by his standards.

Still, Venti nodded "Yes, Lumine sleeps in a teapot."

Diluc shook his head and then chuckled. It was a slow chuckle that escalated into a laugh, when that became a laugh, Jean suddenly snorted and started to laugh as well. Eventually it got Venti to laugh on top of it all. Maybe it was the pressure of the last couple of days getting to them… or maybe they all had the same image in their head of Lumine trying to step into a tiny teapot to sleep in. (They obviously knew this wasn't the case.)

The laughter died down rather abruptly and then Diluc suddenly asked: "Why didn't she flee to it?" His brow furrowed as he thought about it. "She would have been safe."

"Who's to say she didn't try." Venti sighed and looked at his hand where the talisman imprint stood.

"Don't forget, they stabbed her through her hands so she couldn't get away or use her powers." Jean joined in once she saw Venti looking at his hand.

"I don't think it's that… I mean, that's clearly a big part but…" Venti thought about what Lumine had told him.

'You'll be back where you teleported from. That way you won't be teleported to Liyue with me.' was more or less what she had told him.

"She needed to be near it." Venti concluded as he put his hand to his head to think more on it. "There was a large crack from the inside, so I wonder if maybe they took it away from her."

'Whoever did this was looking through her things, saw the teapot, figured it was a worthless teapot, and threw it. It's anybody's guess really. Only Lumine knows what happened and right now…' Venti felt his frown turn into a scowl when he looked over at the shut door.

"She's still asleep." It was like Jean heard his mind.

"It's just been so long."

"With what she's been through I don't blame her. I wouldn't want to wake up either." Diluc crossed his arms. "It's just unfortunate. We have nothing to go on and she's the only one who knows what happened to Paimon."

Venti spoke next, only slightly changing the subject. "All I can say… is that something happened to her in Liyue that caused her to get kidnapped to start with. The reason I know that is because Katheryne informed me that Lumine hadn't done her commissions in weeks."

"Hm. Lisa is going to Liyue tomorrow… Maybe we could have her ask around? See what she can pick up?" Jean inquired out loud though it was clear she was pondering if it could work in the end.

"I don't know about that. A Mondstadt knight of favonius shows up and starts asking questions; it isn't exactly a good look." Diluc started to tap his fingers against the pew.

"... You're right." Jean pondered for a few seconds before a light bulb went off over her head. "But a traveling bard won't look suspicious."

"-I don't know…" Venti sucked on his teeth and started to rub the back of his neck. He did a once over of the church and when it seemed to be emptied for the time being, Viktor included, he still leaned in and whispered his next part. "The geo archon and I don't exactly get along…" He concluded. "If I just waltzed into Liyue it might be a problem."

"That does make sense. Given your history together." Jean slumped in her seat. "I don't know… but I don't want to give up, not on the honorary knight after she's done so much for us."

"We'll come up with something. I know we will… I just don't know what...Maybe I can come up with something before Lisa leaves for Liyue." Diluc stood and stretched his arms and back. "Right now, however; I have a shift at the Angel's Share. I promised Charles he could have the night off."

"Alright. I need to get some rest or else I'm going to pass out from exhaustion… again." Jean then stood with Diluc.

"You guys go ahead. I think I'm going to stay here a little while longer." Venti waved them goodbye as they started for the door. Soon they left Venti alone in the cathedral, most of the nuns retiring for the night. The church was so quiet that Venti could actually hear a mouse scurrying somewhere.

When Venti's head suddenly jerked downward he quickly realized he had started to doze off. So, he stood, and stretched his arms over his head and yawned. These last few days had taken a lot out of him and maybe some rest would do him good-

The church doors opened, squeaking a little as they did so. In popped Diona, she scanned the area; her ears perked up, she stopped and jumped when she saw Venti, her ears now flattening a little against her head and turning to the side. "Hello there, Diona? Are you done for the night at the Cat's tail?" Venti remained friendly as he waved at her.

Diona grumbled (or growled) a low reply that Venti couldn't hear and tried to hide a little behind the door. Venti saw her shuffle her feet and instantly knew what she wanted to do. "Diona, do you want to see Lumine?"

"No!" Diona squeaked in surprise. "J-Just because she was… reckless… I shouldn't have to be there to comfort her." It was a lie. Obviously. "... So… what was it? Did she… fall out of a window or…?"

"Ah, we don't know yet…" A lie, now on his part. There was no way he was going to tell Diona, a child, the truth. (Not that he was planning on telling anybody without Lumine's permission.) Diona let out a 'hmph!' In response, her ears remained flattened on her head.

"I...I might want to see her… but it's not because of what you think! I just want to make sure she's fully healed! Not that Barbara is a bad healer or anything, but she could use some help-"

A chuckle left Venti's mouth. "Alright, but-" He put his fingers to his lips. "-Don't tell anybody." He whispered and winked.

Diona's ears perked up again and she slyly stepped into the church. Diona stayed behind Venti every step of the way. When Venti opened the door, Diona instantly took off for the room. She walked in and then just… stopped. Her ears went low, but unlike last time where they were turned to the side, these were flat against her head and low, more akin to fear as her eyes went wide. It was like she was afraid to approach.

Venti leaned against the door frame and watched as Diona moved her head around like she was scoping the room out for any potential threats. "Lumine?" Diona finally whispered. When Lumine didn't wake or even stir, Diona turned to Venti. "She's… gonna be alright?"

"She's sleeping. She hasn't woken up since she came into Mondstadt."

"But it's been two days!" Diona's 'tough girl' mask instantly slipped as she let out a whine.

"We know this, Diona. Trust me. Barbara is doing everything she possibly can for the Honorary Knight."

"It's just… she promised me!"

It didn't register for Venti at first and he said the first thing on his mind. "Barbara?"

"No, idiot! Lumine! She promised me she wouldn't disappear…" Diona turned and Venti saw the tears shining in her eyes. With a soft sniffle, Diona did what she could to wipe the tears away with her arm. "She promised me she wouldn't be just a dream…"

"Oh. I see…" Venti rubbed the back of his head awkwardly as he thought about Diona's words. "The traveler- Lumine. She's going to wake up, Diona-" Venti walked over and got down on one knee so he and Diona were now on equal level. He put his hand on top of her head, to which she reacted like his hand was toxic and shoved it away from her.

"-But what if she doesn't! What if she just stops breathing in her sleep? Or-Or…" Diona trailed off as she tried to think of another horrific scenario, but nothing more came out of her mouth. With another soft sniffle she started to wipe her eyes with one of her fists and she kept her mouth clamped tight so not to sob.

"I get it." Venti suddenly shifted so he now sat on the ground next to Diona. "And trust me, I understand your worry, but Lumine is healing." Venti patted the ground next to him, inviting Diona to sit. She took the invite and gently plopped down next to him. "She's not like you or me. I think because she had no food to eat… and nobody with healing powers with her… she chose to sleep in order to regain her strength."

Diona thought about what Venti said for a moment or two. She nervously twisted her hands around the hem of her shirt, and her ears twitched. "I… I guess that makes sense." Diona finally whispered and she looked back at Lumine. She then shut her eyes and a small hum left her throat. "That settles it!" With a newly found vigor, Diona suddenly bounced up from her spot and on to her feet in record time. "I'm going to make her the absolute best drink I can muster up! This drink will not only be tasty, but it'll also heal anything Barbara might have missed!"

"Yeah! You make that drink, Diona!" Venti cheered her on.

Diona put her 'tough girl' mask back on and huffed at Venti and mock irritation. "I was going to! Don't rush me! I have lots of things to do and places to go…" She turned her back on Venti and started naming off places and ingredients to herself before leaving the room and soon the cathedral altogether. Once it seemed to be clear, Venti stood up. He looked over at Lumine and started to walk towards her.

Without stopping he picked a cecilia from it's vase and walked on over to Lumine's bed side. She looked so at ease as she rested. Her lip was almost completely healed now, all that remained was a red scab. She still had little nicks on her face, but most were completely unnoticeable and were scarred over and white. All of the bruises were gone, say for one, one Venti had missed earlier on. The only reason he noticed it now was because it stood out greatly on her face now that she was healed up. The bruise was on the crown of her head, black around the edges but a sickly green color in the center. Venti frowned when he saw the shape and size of the bruise.

He made a fist with his hand and compared the size and shape of the bruise with his fist. It didn't look like a usual punch mark. With a shake of his head he let it drop and unclenched his fist. If he kept thinking about it; it'll just eat him up inside. So, instead he dropped down next to Lumine and re-adjusted the blanket so it was covering her shoulders. She didn't so much as twitch.

"My fair Lumine, why won't you wake up? I know you're scared and that's okay! We'll help you recover... We all miss you and we're worried." Venti felt the back of his head hit the bed frame and he shut his eyes.

Then he heard shuffling and movement from behind. It wasn't much of a movement, but it was enough to make him turn his head to the left. Lumine's hand had slipped from the bed and now limply hung over the side of the bed. He reached over, ready to put the hand back on the bed and leave Lumine be for the night-

The moment their skin touched it was like Venti had been shocked by Baal and then teleported to a different place. He wasn't in the infirmary anymore. No. He seemed to be in a building…

For Venti it was instant panic. 'How did this happen?! Where am I?' He didn't know what the building was or who it belonged to. From what he could tell by looks alone… he was in a house, and judging by the fact that he looked at the sky when he looked out the window, he could only assume he was on the second floor. When he looked up he was met with a dark green ceiling. When he looked down he saw dark brown wood. There he stood in the middle of a corridor where there were two ways out. One way behind him and another around a bend of the home.

'This is a Liyuen house... ' He could only conclude. 'But why am I here?' He started to tap his foot in thought as his mind reeled. As he continued to think... he slowly looked down at his foot as it continued to tap. He watched as his foot made contact with the floor repeatedly. Up and down rhythmically, yet, no sound came from it. His eyebrows furrowed. Like a frustrated child he started to stamp his foot.

Nothing. No sound.

'What-' Before Venti could finish that thought, he heard footsteps, so he wasn't deaf and this floor wasn't somehow defective-

Lumine rounded the corner, Qiqi was on Lumine's back, it almost looked like Lumine was giving her a piggyback ride, but Venti had a feeling that wasn't the case. Lumine didn't look hurt at all in fact she looked in top shape! Yet, she looked extremely panicked. Both girls let out huffs of breath as they ran up to Venti.

"Lumine! You're awake-" Venti opened his arms to greet his friend and maybe get her to talk to him, but it was for nothing as Lumine ran right through him. Because right now, Venti was nothing. This was a memory.

Her memory and she wanted Venti to witness it.

Lumine placed Qiqi down and went for the door that was directly behind Venti. She tried to pull at the handle but nothing came of it. A curse flew out of Lumine's mouth at the horrific realization.

"It's locked." Came Qiqi's monotone voice confirming what Venti already figured out. Lumine was trying desperately to kick down the door, but it was made of solid sturdy wood. 'Thump! Thump! Thump!' was the sound her boots made against the door. She even tried to kick the knob off.

"They're going to get through any minute now-" Lumine gasped out in shock before she grabbed Qiqi's hand again. "-Get in the teapot!" Lumine suddenly demanded of Qiqi. "You-" There was a sudden 'BANG!' From the other door. Smoke arose from the corridor and red embers sparked against the wooden floor but quickly died out.

"Now!" There was a desperation in Lumine's voice and she pulled the teapot from her bag.

"What about you-"

More bangs and thuds sounded from the door they were locked behind, sparks of red, purple, and even arrows were thrown and smacked into the wall across from the door.

"I'll be right behind you, Qiqi. I promise.'' Lumine reached over and touched Qiqi's face right before the little girl vanished inside the teapot. Lumine gave a sad look to the teapot before looking down the corridor. There was a 'Crack!' the sound of hinges snapping, Lumine only had mere seconds. She put the teapot back into her bag, ran to the nearest window, opened it, and tossed her bag out of it. She was thinking of Qiqi the whole time and wanted to make sure that they wouldn't ever get their hands on her.

She then grabbed both sides of the window and she got ready to jump herself- but Lumine was just too slow. Venti was so focused on her he didn't see who had rounded the corner until they phased through him.

A heavy-set brown haired treasure hoarder was the first to her and he snatched her around the middle. Lumine kicked, screamed, and tried to bite her way out of the man's arms. "Let go of me you-you monster!" Lumine demanded and she tried to use her powers, Anemo or Geo? Venti never got to know that as another treasure hoarder, one in red, had grabbed Lumine and forced her hands behind her back.

"This dumb bitch just cost us our meal ticket!" A male voice roared in rage.

Then It was only a dog pile of treasure hoarders and Venti had to watch he couldn't help in any way, shape or form as more treasure hoarders grabbed her in an attempt to pin her down. There were too many for Lumine to fight off at once. 'Why did you come alone?! Why didn't you ask me? Or Zhongli, Xiao? Amber?! Kaeya?! Or that Fatui you're friends with?! Why were you only with Qiqi, Lumine!?' They eventually got her to her knees with her arms pinned tightly behind her back.

At some point during the struggle someone had punched her in the mouth. Venti only knew this because when they moved he saw her mouth was bleeding. "Go outside! The zombie couldn't have gotten far, search for her!" One treasure hoarder demanded of his peers. This man looked almost generic for a treasure hoarder. No vision from what Venti could see.

He kept a red bandana over the lower half of his face, but that did jack-all when Venti could see the guy had black hair and brown almond shaped eyes, oh, and little brown freckles all over his face. He was the leader, clear as day. His eyes were completely filled with a malicious hate as he stared down at Lumine like a hungry wolf. It made Venti sick to his stomach.

Two did as they were told and ran to find Qiqi-

'But they'd never find her.'

"- Now, to you-" The leader turned to Lumine.

'Pbth!' Lumine didn't even hesitate. She spat blood right at the guy. It didn't hit his face (Pity), but rather hit his clothes, but the disrespect was there and clear as day. Lumine was still Lumine and wasn't going to give up without some form of a fight. She growled and tried to struggle out of their grip, but they managed to keep her down.

"I see…" The treasure hoarder suddenly snatched Lumine by her face and squished her cheeks between his hand. He squeezed a little, making Lumine growl. She tried to crane her mouth to bite him, but to no success. "You're a tough little bitch, after all, you took out five of my men, no easy feat. "

"Fuck… you!" Lumine cursed out and spat once again, this time hitting her target and getting his face. The man looked shocked for a moment, dropped Lumine's face from his hand, and pulled out another bandana from a pocket.

He started to wipe the bloodied spit off of his face. When he was done, he put the bandana back into his pocket and gave Lumine a scathing look. "You made me dirty-" Then with a sudden strike of his hand he backhanded Lumine. Lumine let out a shocked gasp as her head violently snapped to the side.

Venti's anger soared to new heights. 'I will personally end this man.'

"Take her to the basement." Was all the guy said. "And for the love of the gods, somebody better find that damned zombie. Or else she won't be the only one down there!"

Venti felt himself being pulled back. "No, please-" He whispered. "-Wait!" he reached out to Lumine desperately, he knew how this ended and he had to protect her. He wanted to protect her! "Lumine!" Venti all but wailed.

It was for nothing as before he knew it he was back in the church. He was looking out of the window, no longer next to Lumine's bed. Lumine still hadn't awoken, but her breathing… it was louder than before. A good sign. She was healing.

"You… You wanted me to see all of that… Lumine… did you know what those men were capable of? Did you know they'd hurt Qiqi the way they'd hurt you?... you called them monsters…" A horrifying thought suddenly crossed Venti's mind.

'Had they already hurt Qiqi? In such a fashion?' Venti felt revolted- absolutely sick at the sheer idea of-

He gagged and covered his mouth with his hand while putting his other arm over his stomach. As sick as it was, Venti was at least maybe a little relieved at Qiqi's horrible memory. If (and that's a big if.) It did happen, Qiqi would have no memory. Especially since she's been in the teapot for weeks.

Venti just hoped and even prayed (to who exactly?) that it didn't happen and he was jumping to conclusions.

He removed his hand from his mouth and took slow and uneasy breaths. After a couple of seconds passed he calmed down enough to straighten himself back up. "At least now I know this is the cause of the treasure hoarders. I should have guessed that from the start, those guys are the lowest of the low." Venti rambled to himself before shutting his eyes and sighing. He looked back over at Lumine.

"...I'm going with Lisa and Qiqi tomorrow. Morax be damned! If he confronts me, I'll make him understand!... he has to understand…"