There were days Sucrose noticed Albedo seemed tense, more than usual whenever The Traveler was mentioned. There was a time Lumine and Paimon would come to visit them in Dragonspine to check in on them. Sucrose would notice how happy Albedo would become whenever Lumine would smile or bring him trinkets from her adventures. She would notice how during his free time he would look out to the icy roads as if waiting for someone to come.
Sucrose was a good friend of Lumine and Paimon. The two would talk for hours about their adventures and Sucrose would listen, at times taking down notes about the different alchemy formulas that Lumine learned from the other nations. Sucrose always enjoyed working with Lumine and Paimon. There were times when Lumine would introduce new friends to her. For example, the lovely white-haired woman Ayaka, whose smile was warm and gentle like snow. Or the young man named Xiao, who despite seemed to have a cold demeanor, was quite gentle. Even the Fatui Harbinger named Childe, who was known for his love of fighting and bloodshed, was surprisingly chipper and kind. Especially towards children.
Sucrose was always happy to meet so many new people and learn new things. Till one day, she noticed something different. Lumine and Paimon had come to Mondstadt to visit after their trip to Inazuma. For a year and a half, Sucrose knew Lumine, she was beyond excited and happy for her friend when she noticed how her gaze soften when she was with Childe. Or when the two would think no one was watching, they would hold hands together.
"Congratulations!" Sucrose could not help but be happy for her friend when she gifted Lumine a bouquet of orchids and Snezhnaya sage.
Childe burst out laughing at the red face Lumine had because they were discovered. Paimon teased the two as the Traveler thanked them for the gift. The couple waved goodbye as they were going to head out for a commission near the borders of Liyue. Sucrose waved and smiled softly.
"I'm happy to see Lumine found someone! I hope she will be happy and Childe takes care of her." Sucrose said as she turned to Albedo but...
That wasn't a look she recognized. Albedo's gaze seemed emotionless, almost dark as he watched the couple leave.
"Mr. Albedo? Are you alright?" Sucrose said and the Alchemist turned to her with a smile, yet it seemed forced.
"I'm alright Sucrose." His gaze returned to the gates of the city where Childe, Lumine, and Paimon were exiting, "We should head back to our labs. We have projects coming up." With that, he turned and walked away.
Something about Albedo's gaze on the trio unsettled her, almost as if she was looking at another person. Sucrose followed but not before giving a small glance to the trio. That night, she prayed to the Anemo Archon Barbatos to watch over them.
[—-]
The following months seem to be the same as ever. Lumine would come and visit at times but this time Childe was with her. She would always greet them and Paimon would tease the two by telling Sucrose about the times she has caught them kissing. Paimon would say in the most Paimon way, "Paimon has seen some shit." Sucrose could not help but burst into giggles at the stories while Lumine scolded the little pixie. Yet, the atmosphere in the lab in Dragonspine felt colder for some reason. Albedo would smile softly whenever Lumine would come but when her back was turned because she was speaking to Childe, Sucrose noticed the alchemist's mood seemed to sour.
One day, Sucrose was cleaning up the lab when she accidentally knocked down one of Albedo's sketchbooks from the shelves. She knew Albedo didn't like his things touched but it wouldn't hurt to take a peak. Carefully she picked up the book and opened it. She blinked and smiled softly seeing the sketches of their friends and families. There was even one of her sitting next to Venti and Mona. The three were drinking tea and Klee was making some Xiao lanterns for the Liyue festival. But the more Sucrose looked through, the more she felt some uncertain feeling crept up her chest. More and more sketches were of Lumine. Some of her smiling, others in combat, some as something simple as cooking, or even a close up. Dried lilies made into bookmarks. Pictures of Lumine and Paimon talking to their friends.
"Why so many?" Sucrose whispered to herself as she kept on looking.
"Sucrose."
"Aaaayyyeee!" The poor girl screeched and sent the sketchbook flying in the air, which the alchemist caught with ease, "I thought you were cleaning." Albedo frowned and Sucrose fumbled with her fingers.
"My apologies, Mr. Albedo. I was cleaning up and accidentally cause a few books to spill. I was a bit curious. I do apologize if I offended you." Sucrose dipped her head and Albedo was silent for a few seconds.
"Do not repeat." He said and put the book away on a high shelf.
Sucrose nodded but noticed something strange as Albedo used his vision to hang a mirror on the wall. A beautiful mirror of silver with the sun on the top and the stars at the bottom. Gold and blue jewels adorned it as she took a closer look.
"What a beautiful mirror." Sucrose awed as she stood beside Albedo to look at it.
"It is." Albedo smiled as their reflections looked back, "I've been working on this project for a while. I made a smaller version of it." He held up a small pocket mirror version of it, "It's still not complete though. It's still missing a key component to becoming a masterpiece." He said as he gently place his hand on the surface.
"What is it missing?" She asked and Albedo turned to her with his usual smile but for some reason it made her skin crawl.
"The moon."
[—-]
Lumine has returned to Mondstadt and Sucrose couldn't be happier. She had much to tell her friend as she made her way to Windrise where Lumine and Paimon were waiting for her. She picked many sweet flowers today and commissioned Sara to make Sweet flower shortbread cookies and cakes. The cake for Lumine, and the cookies for Paimon. She made her way there and waved her hand once she spotted the blonde near the Statue of the Seven.
"Lumine!" She yelled out and the blonde turned her way with a giant grin.
"Sucrose!" Lumine waved as Childe and surprising Hu Tao were setting up the picnic blanket while Paimon set up some plates with food.
"It's good to see you!" The two hugged, "How have you been?"
"Oya~ Oya~ Hi Sucrose!" Hu Tao waved as her little ghost friend flew around her, "Good to see you again!"
"And too you as well!" Sucrose grinned, "It's good to see you too, Childe." She smiled as the archer gave her a thumbs up.
"Oh! I just noticed the crystals in your clothing. You changed to use Electro?" Sucrose asked and Lumine nodded.
"I have been training to master the element for a while. I still need a lot of practice. Hu Tao and Childe have been helping me." Lumine grin as the two sat down, "How's Albedo?"
"Mr. Albedo has been busy lately. He rarely leaves his office. But I do bring him his meals." Sucrose sighed and Lumine gave her a pat on the back.
"Yesh. Poor guy. Maybe next time all of us and the rest could go eat at a restaurant. I heard one of the restaurants in Liyue make some of the best soups." Childe said and plucked a grape from a bowl.
"Just make sure Zhongli brings his wallet this time." Hu Tao comments and the group couldn't help but chuckle.
As they chatted and talk about their adventures and works, Sucrose suddenly felt a shiver go down her spine. She looked around and saw no one.
"How odd..." she thought as she turned back to the group, "I thought I sensed someone."
The feeling that they were being watched didn't go away.
[—-]
"Hey, have you noticed anything strange lately?" Kaeya said as Sucrose was mixing her ingredients and she looked at the knight, confused.
"What do you mean?" Sucrose cocked her head, "Did something happen?"
"...Have you noticed that Lumine is keeping a distance from Albedo?" He said and Sucrose was silent for a moment.
"Isn't that natural?" She said and Kaeya sighed.
"I'm not sure. Anyhow, keep an eye on Lumine." He patted her head and walked to the door, "I have a feeling something is going to happen soon."
[—]
"Lumine, can I ask you a question?" Sucrose said as Paimon slept peacefully on Lumine's bed.
They were in Lumine's Serenitea Pot because the Traveler wanted to be in her own space. Inside the Liyue style mansion, they were in, one of the rooms was Lumine's game room. The traveler let go of a sigh as she placed down her cup and held her hands together.
"This is about Albedo, isn't it?" Sucrose nodded, "I noticed lately he's...been somewhat cold. Cold also to Childe."
"When did this start?" Sucrose asked and Lumine went silent for a moment as she held her chin.
"I'm not sure. But I noticed he tended to be quiet whenever I speak of Childe or anyone else. I don't know what is going on. I asked but the only response I got was, Are you enjoying your freedom? I'm just confused." Lumine grumbled as she rested her elbows on the table, "Did I offend him or something?"
"Maybe you could try talking to him again?" Sucrose suggested and Lumine nodded.
"Good point. Oh, tomorrow morning I'll be free! I can head to Dragonspine before the frost wind hits!" Lumine grinned and Sucrose nodded.
"How about I go with you?" Sucrose smiled but internally she was begging that she go with her.
For some reason, she didn't want Lumine and Paimon to go alone. There was just this strange feeling of dread.
"I'll be alright!" Lumine grinned, "Oh!" She clapped her hands together, "I almost forgot! There's a little secret I have been wanting to tell you for a while!" She quickly dug through her purse and handed Sucrose a blue star-shaped gem.
"What is this? It's so pretty." Sucrose awed as she held up the blue gem in the light.
"You know those floating devices that are all around Tyvat?" Sucrose nodded, "Well," Lumine grinned as she leaned in, "over the past year I found out they can teleport to different locations all over Teyvat! It's how I have been able to travel around so quickly!"
"Incredible." Sucrose awed, "But...are you sure you should be trusting me with this?" She asked, worried.
"Sucrose, you are my friend and I trust you more than anything. If you ever want to travel anywhere, use it." Lumine gently took the gem from her and circled her hands around it, turning it into a star-shaped necklace.
She stood up and put it on Sucrose. The green-haired girl's ears flapped excitedly.
"Thank you, Lumine!" Sucrose grinned as she hugged her, "I will take good care of it! That's a promise!" She said.
Lumine grinned and hugged her back.
The next day, Sucrose waved to Lumine and Paimon as the two took the path that led to Dragonspine. Sucrose watched but there was still this dreadful filling as she watched her friends go down the road. Sucrose prayed that the feeling would not come true.
That was the last time she saw the blonde hair traveler and a little fairy.
[—]
Five months and Lumine and Paimon didn't show up Mondstadt. The catalyst user asked around if they had seen or heard anything from her. No has. She asked Albedo if he had seen her and the alchemist replied that the last time he saw her was when they spoke. After that, she left Dragonspine with Paimon. Sucrose was starting to get worried by the day and it wasn't helping that she received a letter from Jean that she was falling behind on her work.
"I apologize Acting Grandmaster." Sucrose sighed and Jean smiled softly at her, "I just...can not concentrate these days."
"It's about Lumine, isn't it?" Jean said and Sucrose nodded shyly, "Sigh...you aren't alone. I received a letter from Ningguang of Liyue and Kamisato Ayaka. They have expressed they are worried because Lumine and Paimon have not shown up at all. Usually, during this time in Liyue, Lumine helps out a lot for the Lantern Rite Festival. As for Inazuma, also an upcoming festival." She said and Sucrose was worried.
"Um...If I may! Can I send a letter to Miss Kamisato?!" Sucrose said and Jean nodded.
The girl thanked her and bowed politely before excusing herself. Quickly she ran to the library to ask Lisa for the address of the Kamisato Estate until she accidentally ran into someone.
"Ow!" Sucrose groaned and was helped up, "I'm sorry."
"It's alright Sucrose." For some reason, she shivered at Albedo's voice as she looked up to his eyes.
He smiled softly and noticed she was holding a scroll.
"Are you in a rush somewhere?" He asked and Sucrose nodded.
"I was going to see Miss Lisa. I'm worried Mr. Albedo. Both Paimon and Lumine haven't come at all! This isn't like them!" She expressed and Albedo shook his head.
"No need to worry about them." He said and the girl blinked as he took out a letter from his pocket, "I just received a letter from her. It says that she is on her way to Sumeru along with Paimon." He handed it to her, "I was just about to inform Jean and the others."
Sucrose read the letter but noticed something strange. She wanted to voice it but didn't. She looked back to Albedo and cocked her head a bit.
"Mr. Albedo, why are there glass shards on your coat?!" Albedo looked down at his coats as she frantically put the letter in her pocket, "Are you injured?! Did one of your experiments explode?!" There was also the scent of lilies.
"Ah, I just have been in a rush." Albedo smiled a bit embarrassed, "I'll clean up my coat later. I have to go now. Take care Sucrose." He said as she handed him back the letter.
Sucrose watched as the Alchemist entered the office and closed the door. She couldn't help but let go of a sigh of relief once he was gone. The image of the letter was burned into her mind as well as the scent of lilies. Lumine'd handwriting always had elemental traces of Hydro and Anemo.
Not Geo.
[—-]
Another two months passed and Sucrose at this point wanted to hang up missing posters. She sat in her room in her home, anxious, worried. She was waiting for the letter from Miss Ayaka to arrive as well as Mr. Zhongli. She paced back and forth in her room and screeched when she heard the doorbell ring, jumping like a cat.
"Coming!" She yelled out and scurried to the door, "I'm sorry for the t-!" She froze.
"Are you Sucrose?" A woman of dark purple hair tied into a long braid, bright purple eyes much like the Electro element, and has a beauty mark under her right eye.
She wore red eyeliner as well. She wore an Inazuma-style battle kimono yet her gaze seemed somewhat cold.
"Y-Yes?!" Sucrose squeaked and the woman studied her for a moment before she spoke.
"My apologies if I have frightened you. I am...Ei. A friend of Lumine and Paimon. I was told to speak to you to locate a bard by the name of Venti?" She said and Sucrose quickly composed herself.
"Yes! Venti is mostly in Windrise. Um...would you like it if I guide you there?" Sucrose offered and Ei nodded.
The walk to Windrise was somewhat tense because of how silent and calm Ei was. Sucrose wondered who the woman was and it seemed Ei noticed as she let out a sigh.
"You seem concerned. Is there something you wish to ask me?" Ei said and Sucrose hesitated but in the end, spoke her questions.
"How do you know Lumine?" She asked and Mei was silent for a moment.
"We met during the Vison Hunt Decree." Ei said and Sucrose became a bit tense, "I am...a former General of the Shogunate. I was in charge of maintaining the Electro Archon's statue. When a user of Electro passes away, The Statue of the Seven glows to let us know. However...sigh.." she sighed as she placed her hand over her heart, "Lumine is alive yet for some reason her connection to the Electro Element was forcefully cut off." She explained.
"What?!" Sucrose looked horrified as they arrived at the giant tree, "How?!"
"That is why I am here to speak to—!"
"GHHAAAAAA!"
The two bolted towards the tree and saw Venti on the ground withering in pain and Childe was panicking.
"Childe?!" The Fatui turned to the females shocked and even more when his eyes landed on Ei, "What are you doing here and what happened to a Venti?!" Sucrose screeched as Ei quickly ran over to the bard and helped him sit next to the tree trunk.
"I came to ask him about Lumine and Paimon. Everyone is worried." Childe said as Ei was checking Venti.
"You're..." Venti grunted and Ei shook her head, "Alright."
"When was the connection cut?" Ei said and Venti coughed but managed to grunt words, "Just..now..." his hand went limp.
"Venti!" Sucrose screeched and Ei quickly picked him up.
"I will take him for now. You two, if can, contact the man called Zhongli and tell him, Raiden Shogun, will see him at Wangshu Inn." In she was gone in a flash of lightning.
"What just happened?" Sucrose whimpered and Childe let go of a sigh as he looked around.
"Let's not talk here. For some reason, I feel like someone is watching us." He said and Sucrose nodded as she looked around and froze.
For a moment, she thought she saw familiar blue eyes.
[—]
Childe knew the perfect place not even spies of Mondstadt would dare to go in. A Fatui hideout in Wolvendom. The place was hidden by magic and could only be accessed by a few individuals. Sucrose felt very out of place being in a hideout filled with Fatui members. She could feel their stares despite wearing a hood as she followed Childe to a room. There, they enter and were met with...
"Yahoo!"
"Hu Tao!" Sucrose couldn't help but jump at the Pyro woman who chuckled as she hugged her back.
"Ahem." The girl turned and saw Kaeya of all people sitting down with arms crossed, next to him was Zhongli along with...Thoma? She believe his name was, "Glad you could make it."
"This is a secret group so don't tell anyone." Hu Tao winked.
"Why are you all here?" Sucrose said as she sat down next Thoma.
"I managed to get in contact with Lumine, but it was only for a moment before my connection was cut off." Childe began to explain as he set down a cracked mirror on the table, "It wasn't clear but I know that was her voice and Paimon's. The sound was all static but I managed to hear her scream,Trapped! And Paimon said Reflection." The man gritted his teeth, "I'm worried. I know for fact she and Paimon must be trapped somewhere but where?!"
"Relax." Thoma said as he carefully picked up the mirror, "Still, I'm surprised she managed to pull it off. When did you get the message?" He asked.
"A few days ago. But the message said it was sent 7 months ago." Childe and the group stiffened.
"Did you just say...seven months ago?"
They turned to look at Sucrose who was covering her mouth, her eyes wide and frantic.
"I saw her...seven months ago heading to Dragonspine to speak to Mr. Albedo. After that...I didn't see her again. I spoke to Mr. Albedo but he said that that she left after they spoke." Sucrose whispered and Kaeya frowned.
"I think it's time you and I pay Albedo a visit."
[—-]
It had been some time since she had worked in the lab of the Alchemy Building. Sucrose took a deep breath as Kaeya stood next to her and nodded. Both walked into the building and headed straight to the lab room that she shared with Albedo. She took out her key and opened the door, already the scent of chemicals was in the air. The lab had shelves filled with books and jars with materials as well as an alchemy table and desk set up for the people. The first thing she noticed was the mirror that was next to Albedo's desk, it was covered with a white cloth. The small pocket version was on the desk.
"Oh?" Albedo looked up from his papers and turned their way, "Sucrose, Kaeya. It's been a while."
"Hey Albedo, it has. I see you're still busy as ever." Kaeya smiled as Sucrose went to her desk to work.
"Busy doesn't even describe what I've been working on." Albedo sighed as he removed his glasses to rub his eyes, "Sucrose, I thought Jean told you to focus on your work. Where have you been these days?" He asked and the woman smile a bit nervously.
"My apologies, Mr. Albedo. I've been working on a new project in my home." Sucrose said and noticed the dark circles under their eyes, "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Sigh...Could you watch the lab for the next two months? Jean has assigned me to gather supplies from Liyue. As well as work a trading route with the Liyue Alchemy Department." He said and they could hear how tired he was.
"Have you been eating your meals?" Sucrose said as she walked up and upon closer look, noticed scratch marks on his neck, "Mr. Albedo, did you get into a fight?"
Kaeya raised an eyebrow at how silent the man became before shaking his head.
"No. But I did get into a fight with a few hilichurls. Surprisingly they are very protective when it comes to magic crystals." He said and Kaeya couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well, you won't be alone at Liyue. Jean has assigned me to go with you. Look forward to working with you." Kaeya smiled and Albedo let a small groan.
Two days later, Albedo had his things packed to head out to Liyue with Kaeya and a small team of knights,
"Make sure to clean the supplies as well as organized any papers that come in. And make sure no one goes through my things." Albedo kept repeating to Sucrose who just laughed.
"Mr. Albedo! I'll be fine! No need to worry!" She giggled and Albedo smiled softly.
"Sigh...Ah, and one more thing." His voice went serious, "Make sure to lock the lab 30 minutes before midnight. Understand?" Sucrose was confused but nodded.
With that, she waved the group goodbye as they left.
[—]
The following days were the same as ever for Sucrose. She began working the lab, taking care of it, cleaning, and leaving 30 minutes before midnight. Still, even if she was busy, it never stopped her from searching for any clues that would lead to where Lumine and Paimon were trapped. But at times, she felt like she was being watched for some reason. Perhaps it was her imagination this time. Sucrose yawned as she looked at the clock and noticed how late it was going to become. The clock was going to hit the time she needed to leave and she sighed.
"Lumine...Paimon, where are you?" She muttered and looked over to Albedo's desk.
She stood up and walked up to the mirror covered with the white cloth. She carefully removed it and sat on the chair in front of it. Looking at her reflection, she saw the dark circles under her eyes as well as seeing her skin had turned a bit pale. She was tried.
She just wanted to find her friends. Sucrose sighed as she gently touched the surface and leaned her forehead on it, closing her eyes.
"Lumine...Paimon...where are you?" She whispered and finally, she felt her tears fall.
She sobbed, letting out small cries and whimpers as she thought about the time she, Lumine, and Paimon would travel. She thought back to the times they would help her with her experiments or the times they would hang out with friends. So many thoughts...
She wiped her tears and stood up, yet she noticed something glint on Albedo's desk. She hesitated for a moment but still looked behind the shelf. There was a small wooden box. Confused but she carefully picked it up.
Ding!
She nearly dropped it because of the sound of her alarm. She stood up and packed her things and left, but not before giving one last glance to the mirror. But from the corner of her eye, she thought she saw the figure of a woman standing behind her from the mirror. But she looked around and there was no one.
[—]
When Sucrose arrived at her home, she carefully opened the box and saw it was the smaller version of the mirror. It was the pocket one. Seeing it up close and in person, it was a small little thing yet adorable. It fits in the palm of her hands.
"Mr...Albedo won't notice if it stays with me, right?" She thought but something told her to keep the mirror with her at all times.
So she did.
That night, Sucrose had a dream. In that dream, she walked an endless abyss. No matter how much time passed it never ended. Yet, the longer she walked she could hear faint sounds, like if someone was crying or calling out to them.
"Is someone there?" She called out and the voice seemed to be getting louder.
"Su...crose..."
"Paimon?" Sucrose whispered and again the voice spoke louder.
"Mirror!"
"Wait Paimon!"
[—]
She woke up with a start, her eyes filled with tears as she sat up and looked over to the small mirror on her desk. Deep breaths she took to calm herself. That was Paimon's voice calling out to her.
"Mirror..." she whispered to herself and quickly jumped off her bed to change.
She needed to see Childe.
[—-]
"Mirror..." Childe muttered to himself as Sucrose explained the dream she had to him.
Mona would be a better choice but Sucrose didn't want to take the chances because Mona was a good friend of Albedo. The Fatui was silent for a moment then spoke.
"I think I know someone we can talk to. Did Lumine give you a star-shaped necklace?" He asked and Sucrose looked at him surprised.
"Yes. How did you know?" She said and Childe held up his wrist with a sad smile.
He had a bracelet with a star-shaped gem but it was color purple.
"Lumine gifted me one on our 5 month anniversary." He said and Sucrose smiled sadly.
"We'll find them."
[—]
Her first experience in using the teleport waypoint was a disaster. She had never felt so sick to her stomach because of how fast the movement was. It was like she was thrown rapidly in the air multiple times and then suddenly landing softly on the ground. She hurled at the nearest bush while Childe decided to give her a moment to adjust.
"Yeah, that's how my first experience was too. Ayaka got used to it quickly but Thoma and Hu Tao are still adjusting." Childe said as the girl walked back to him and was handed stomach medicine.
"Where are we?" She asked as she looked around.
It seemed like they were on some sort of cliff as well as she sensed electro energy in the air. Childe couldn't help but grin as he watched her walk up to some of the bizarre plants.
"Welcome to Inazuma." He said and Sucrose would have passed out right there and then if she wasn't so desperate to find her friends.
As they began to walk down the hill, Childe began to explain to her where they were. The island they are on is called Tatarasuna Island, where there weren't many people but the place was very fun to explore. He began to tell her about the adventures he had with Lumine and Paimon here. Sucrose listen and laughed at some of the stories but soon they arrived in one of the abandoned areas where she spotted a Cryo and Electro Cicins Mages but also...a very tall woman dressed in blue and shards of glass floating around her.
"Master Tartaglia." She woman spoke as she gave a polite bow, "And who is this?"
"She is an ally." Childe said as the two Cicins Mages looked at him confused, "Sucrose, this is Viola, A Mirror Maiden of The Fatui." He said and the woman nodded, "I asked to meet with you today because there is a possibility that someone is trapped in a mirror." The woman cocked her head to the side a bit.
Sucrose pulled out the small pocket mirror and showed it to her.
"Oh!" The Cryo Cicin mage gasped, "I know this material! It's Polarizing Prisms! I also see Cor lapis and..." the Electro one spoke up, "Mist Grass Wick!"
"Young Girl...where did you find this?" The Mirror Maiden asked as Sucrose gently handed it to her, "This is the most high-quality device I have ever seen. Made from the purest of Polarizing Materials and...hmmm...I sense alchemy was also used to create it." She said.
"Do you sense any life?" Childe asked and the woman nodded with a frown.
"I do, Master Tartaglia. The spell used to trap whoever is in here is advanced but...I'll see what I can do." She said and nodded to the two mages who got into position.
Gently she made the mirror float in the air and had her mirror shards surround it. She began to mutter an incantation as the other two spun their devices. The magic circle began to glow and crack, yet the Mirror Maiden felt something was trying to fight her back but she kept going.
Crack!
The small mirror cracked but it wasn't enough to free the person inside of it but...
"Hello! Anyone there?! Hello!"
"Paimon!" Sucrose was the first to jump in to catch the mirror in her hands and looked it.
There, in the cracked glass, was the reflection of Paimon looking back to her shocked but beyond happy.
"Sucrose! Sucrose! Is that you?!" Sucrose couldn't form words because she was beyond happy and was a sobbing mess, all she could do was a nod to the now also flying fairy, "Finally!"
"The spell is stronger than I anticipated." The Mirror Maiden spoke as Childe walked up to her, "But...with this, I was able to get a feel. Hmm...give me a week and I should be able to come up with the formula to undo it." She said and Sucrose bowed repeatedly to her.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" She cried and the Maiden smiled softly a rare case.
"Thank you, Viola. Send a message to The Northland Bank once the spell is complete." Childe said and the woman nodded.
[—]
The tea house was where they were asked to meet up. As much as Sucrose wished to explore Inazuma, right now, her main focus was Paimon. So here she sat in a private room with Ayaka, Childe, and Thoma. Sucrose placed the mirror on the table and the reflection wavered, allowing Paimon to show herself.
"Paimon!" Ayaka couldn't help but shed tears of joy as she saw the little fairy in the cracked mirror, "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Paimon is perfectly fine! If...you count being trapped here. Ugh...I want Tri-color Dango." Paimon whined and the others chuckled a bit.
"How did this happen?" Childe asked and Paimon sighed.
"I don't know. I remember I heard Lumine and Albedo arguing inside the lab and I then went to ask if everything was alright. Before I knew it, there was this bright light and I heard Lumine scream. After that, I woke up in a strange place." Paimon explained it as best she could.
"You two never left Dragonspine?" Sucrose gasped and Paimon nodded.
"I think this confirms some of our suspicions." Ayaka sighed, "There is...a possibility that your friend may have something to do with Lumine's appearance."
Sucrose nodded as she closed her eyes. She wished this didn't come to this.
[—-]
Late at night, some guards would pass the locked door of the lab as they circled the halls. As the 7 months went by, there was a new rumor spreading across the Mondstadt. When the clock strikes midnight, near the hallways that led to the alchemy lab, the faint sounds of a person crying could be heard. Of course, very few believed such rumors but it seemed to frustrate Albedo each time they were mentioned to him. Especially when recruits would sneak in at night because of a Test of Courage. The man let go of a tired sigh as he was doing paperwork in his room in Liyue. He was anxious. He was too far away from his moon. He needs to return to Mondstadt to reunite with his moon.
"Please...let me go."
"No." He whispered to himself as he looked over to the small mirror on the table, "Don't worry. I'll be returning soon. Just a bit longer. Your connection to the Geo Element will be cut. Just a bit more and you will finally truly be a masterpiece." He smiled yet the look in his eyes was dark.
Festering Desire seemed to respond to his words as he picked up the small mirror.
Looking back at him, were puffy, red, tearful, golden eyes.