September 20, 2020
"The next station is... Mondstadt. Please mind the gap between the train and the yellow line."
Stirred from his reverie, Aether turned his gaze to the station, watching the train settle within one of the few platforms. An old clock fitted on a lamppost some distance away read nine, so he quickly snatched his belongings and prepared to alight.
"Been a while."
With a decisive beep, the doors slid open, allowing Aether's feet to firmly rest upon the familiar concrete; a tad shy to do so, the man took a deep breath in – catching the fresh scent of dandelions and wine – and a deep breath out.
"That's right... I'm–"
"Aether!" a voice called out. Her primrose locks fell softly on her upturned cheeks as she waved cheerfully towards him.
"Barbara," he smiled, clunking his way towards her. When he'd dropped his mountain of luggage, he reached out for a hug, feeling the entirety of her body encompass him within seconds.
"Mmm, been way too long," she muttered, squeezing him tight.
"I know."
"Want some?" she reached out, handing him a half-full cup of Chilibrew.
"...Still?"
"It may have been five-ish years, but I haven't changed that much." For a split second, her lips twitched into a frown, but she wrapped her arm snug around his and began to lead the way. "Let's hurry, everyone's waiting."
The cab dropped them off at a shabby bar some ways away from their old high school, close to the town square. Fixed upon the glass, dimly lit, a tacky sign flashed the bar's name – Cat's Tail.
Aether smirked, pushing the door open to a hundred cheers and a vigorous embrace.
"He finally came!"
"Bennett!" he laughed, "Good to see you."
His face was as scruffy as ever, hair an off white, and just under his eyes, on his cheeks, his nose and lips, time had left its marks – but he was nonetheless sporting that fiery gaze Bennett always did.
Placing a firm hand to his shoulder, they exchanged grins.
"Likewise," Bennett nodded, turning to Barbara. "You too Barbs, been a while."
"Sure has."
"Well, uh, happy hour's on, enjoy yourselves, see ya when I do." Bennett waved goodbye before disappearing into the crowd, his energy yet again passing like the tide.
"I'll be off wherever as well, so..." Barbara smiled, "catch ya later."
"Yeah."
"It really has been nice seeing you. Make sure you catch up on the rest of the guys, yeah?"
"Will do."
With that, Barbara, too, disappeared into the crowd, leaving Aether alone in a sea of sentimental toasts and nostalgic snapshots. A sickly sweet scent of alcohol lingered on his nose, and a craving soon welled up in his mind, seducing him onto a chair at the bar.
"Wouldn't mind a glass or two."
That was when he made his mistake – that was when he saw her.