Aether was not from this world. He's a true vagabond in the sense that he never truly stays in once place for too long. This is the longest time he's been in one place in all of the travels that he's been in. It's also the first time he's been separated from his dear sister.
'Lumine...where are you?' Aether's thoughts drift to his sister as he makes his way out of Ei's palace.
Lumine was his only other kin. The two of them have traveled to countless worlds exploring them and seeing what they have to offer. Aether fears that if he stays in Teyvat any longer he'll get too attached to the people here and won't ever want to leave.
As Aether makes his way down the quiet streets of Inazuma, he walks towards through the north side of the city, back to the ports, where he has left his teapot. A magical item given to him when he was in Liyue. It contains a pocket dimension of some sorts, one that he's able to rest in. Aether arrives at the port and find his teapot where he has left it.
As Aether places his hand on the teapot, a blinding white light begins to envelop him as he is transported into the pocket dimension. Upon entering he's met with his house resting upon a grassy field. The pocket dimension is comprised by a series of floating islands, all connected via a bridge, with the main island containing Aether's house.
"Traveler! You're here!" Aether hears a familiar hi pitch voice. He turns around to see Paimon floating towards him. Paimon was his traveling companion, funnily enough, he met her after fishing her out of a lake. Although Aether doesn't really know what Paimon is. She claims she's just a floating fairy, but Aether is suspicious at her explanations. Nonetheless he ignores Paimon's mysterious origins, and even though she can be quite annoying sometimes, Aether really values their friendship.
"Hey Paimon, I'm back." Aether said with a soft smile. As Paimon approaches Aether, her happy expression quickly turns into one of anger.
"Jeez what took you so long! Paimon was starting to get really worried!" Her voice was one mixed of concern and anger.
Aether winces at Paimon's scolding, feeling a little guilty at leaving her all alone. Before Aether could respond to Paimon's nagging, he hears a soft grumble.
*Grumble*
Aether's face turns into a knowing grin, as Paimon's face becomes embarrassed, at the sound of her stomach grumbling.
"Looks like someone's really hungry." Aether said with a smug and teasing tone.
Paimon's face becomes flushed as she gives Aether a cute glare. "Paimon is a little hungry, so could you please cook something tasty.." Her voice sounding very bashful.
Aether chuckles to himself at how quickly the little fairy is able to switch emotions. "Sure Paimon, let's go inside and I'll make something tasty." Aether said with a comforting smile.
As the duo made their way inside Aether's house. Paimon became curious at the Traveler's previous whereabouts.
"So where did you run off too for so long?" Paimon asks while following the Traveler towards their kitchen. The Kitchen was simple yet modest, with only a stove, a few cabinets on the wall, and a small dining table with two chairs.
"I was with Ei, I decided to visit her to see how she was holding up, after..well everything." Aether said as he begin to heat up the stove, placing a pot on top of it and filling it up with water as he starts preparing for dinner.
"You were with the Archon?" Paimon asks curiously. "Ever since the whole incident in Inazuma you've been awfully chummy with her." She said in a teasing tone as her face turns into a wide grin.
Aether blushes at the implications of Paimon's words. "It's not like that!" Aether quickly defending himself, his cheeks turning slightly red.
Although Aether does find the Archon beautiful, he can never truly be with her. As his priorities are set on finding his sister, and it wouldn't be fair to Ei if he enters a relationship with her just to only leave later. Although maybe when he does reunite his sister he can have the luxury of being in a relationship. Aether shakes these thoughts away. 'I really have come to love Teyvat.' He thinks quietly to himself.
Paimon notices Aether's blush. "Oh really? Well Paimon thinks you have a big fat crush on Raiden Shogun!" She said with a teasing voice as Paimon's face turns into a smug grin.
"I said it's not like that!" Aether said with increasing redness on his cheeks. "If you keep making dumb comments, I'll make you eat only vegetables!" Aether threatened.
Paimon's face turns pale at Aether's threat. Her eyes droop down in fear. "Paimon is sorry! Please don't make Paimon eat only vegetables!" She comically cried out.
Aether gives a soft chuckle at her antics. As He finished preparing dinner, Paimon begins to set the table, she places two bowls, a couple spoons, and some napkins.
"I hope you like beef stew, cause I made plenty of it!" Aether said before pouring each of the bowls with a healthy portion of the stew. The aroma fills the room and Paimon can't help but salivate at the sight. She pumps her tiny fists up and down, clearly excited to eat. As Aether finishes pouring the stew in each bowl, Paimon begins to immediately dig in.
"This tastes sooo good!" Paimon said her mouth full of food.
Aether is happy at the sight, proud that his dish turned out great. "Paimon choose to eat or choose to talk! Not both!" Aether slightly scolded her
Paimon simply ignores him and continues eating. As the two of them finish their meal, Paimon quickly falls into a food coma and passes out on the table. Aether shakes his head before picking her up and heading toward her room. Aether's house is a simple two story building with a set of stairs in the middle of the house. The kitchen is located on the first floor, and both Paimon and Aether's rooms are located upstairs.
"How can someone so small be so heavy." Aether complained quietly holding onto Paimon as she snores softly. He begins making his way up the stairs and heading towards Paimon's room. Her room is completely messy with random objects laid on the floor, ranging from small toys to odd rocks. Aether is annoyed at the sight. He gently places Paimon on her small bed before heading towards his room.
"I thought I told her to clean up her room, I guess I'll have to tell Tubby to do it." He said while sighing at Paimon's laziness.
Aether begins to enter his room. It was a simple bedroom with a large bed in the corner, and a nightstand next to it, alongside it is a small bookshelf. As Aether plops down on the bed, he begins to think of his long day with Ei.
"I feel a little guilty leaving Ei alone like that. I know she's just starting to experience the world again, and I hope I didn't hurt her by declining." Aether said to himself.
'I promise I'll see her again before I leave for Sumeru, she seems really lonely.' Aether thinks to himself with a yawn. As he slowly drifts into sleep.