The Traveller(s) spent about another week or so in Mondstadt, after the Stormterror incident. Possessing the gnosis did not in fact make them the Anemo Archon, as they quickly discovered. Although Venti strongly hinted that he wouldn't stop them if they tried to take the title, which slightly confused the twins.
They'd decided instead to spend their time fulfilling their role as the Honorary Knight, and as a do-gooder rising star in the Adventurers Guild. During the time when Lumine wasn't trying to build a harem, anyway.
For some reason, the Abyssal Order had chosen the moment after they'd saved Dvalin to launch a full scale assault on Mondstadt. The Knights of Favonius barely had to lift a finger, watching in awe as the legendary dragon demonstrated his gratitude, sweeping away the attacking force in a tremendous gale.
The sight of dozens of screaming Hillichurls being mercilessly mowed down almost elicited sympathy from the citizens of the city.
Almost.
That incident did lead to ever-increasing questions about the leadership of the mysterious order, as they seemed prone to make ever-increasing strategic blunders.
Questions which certainly won't become relevant later.
After exhausting their options for sources of information, the twins decided to journey to the nearby nation of Liyue, and pay a visit to the Geo Archon. Accompanying them were Lisa, their 'instructor', and Noelle, their 'maid', (she was in fact just a maid: for now).
Amber said she'd join them soon, after she finished her latest assignment in Mondstadt.
Barbara… Barbara still needed some work.
The Traveller had left her two companions to explore the culture of Liyue Harbor, while Lumine sought out the city's beloved Archon at some sort of local ceremony.
Everything seemed to be going fine, up until a dead dragon fell from the sky. After watching everyone else get detained and questioned, the Traveller did what any reasonable, innocent person would do.
Run away from the police.
As they were making their daring, dashing escape, the twins ran into a ginger, who despite his hair color, actually helped them instead of s
A few more exciting chase sequences later, they were now secluded in a quiet alleyway. Lumine was faced with the man who had introduced himself as 'Childe'.
[Fitting name.]
The Traveller put her hands on her hips. "So, what's your deal? I appreciate the help, but I get the feeling that no one does anything in this city for free."
"Haha, you catch on quickly, Traveller!" Childe's youthful voice chimed with enthusiasm. "I happen to work for the Fatui, though that's not why I chose to help you." The tall man continued to smile with mirth, not noticing how Lumine stood opposite him, her fists now clenched as she displayed a blank look.
"The Fatui, you say?"
"Yes, I heard you gave my fellow harbinger quite the thrashing in Mondstadt. She failed her mission, and caused the Knights of Favonius to sever diplomatic ties with Snezhnaya. I haven't heard a word about her since." Childe cupped his chin with his hand, before finally noticing the dark look his audience was shooting him.
"Oh, but don't worry, I'm not here to get revenge on you or anything like that," he reassured her.
"I… Wasn't worried about that."
Aether could sense his sister's ire, steadily rising instead of diminishing.
[Lumine, let me handle this, please.]
(Fine, you can deal with this twerp of a boytoy.)
[… Okay then.]
The Traveller's body language suddenly relaxed, earning an approving nod from the Harbinger. "As much as I appreciate a good fight, that's not why I helped you."
Aether waved his hand, gesturing for him to continue. Childe explained the situation in Liyue with the Adapti and the Qixing, and then offered his help in exchange for a favor or something; neither of the twins were paying much attention by that point.
"Alright, I'll do it."
"Great, you're as reliable as they say you are," Childe responded with an eager grin.
[You know, it's kinda hard not to like this guy.]
(If you ignore who he is, sure.)
"I'll direct you to a consultant who I've been working with," the Harbinger continued, "who I think you may find to be very… Informative." The ginger's eyes lit up with the faint glow of an inside joke.
Aether smiled appreciatively. "Thanks, kid."
"Kid?" Childe scoffed, incredulous. "I've got to be at least five years your senior. I see that you don't have a vision," he pointed out.
"Looks can be deceiving," Aether replied neutrally. "Very deceiving."
"I suppose…" The blue-eyed man eyed him speculatively, with his eyes. "In that case, I kind of hope we do end up crossing blades in the future. I'd like to see just how strong you really are."
Aether shook his head gently, still missing the feeling of his braid swinging behind him.
"Trust me… You don't want to find yourself standing in my way."
Ah, I see…" The harbinger chuckled heartily. "You're one of those edgy types! Oh, how much fun you are!"
Aether sighed.
"Whatever you say, child."
Following some extensive questing involving a search for a cocogoat and picking some flowers, the twins were enjoying a relaxing dinner, allegedly going to be paid for by their new partner-in-crime, Zhongli. After refusing Childe's Fatui blood money, they soon found themselves paying out of their own pocket for nearly everything involving the mysterious funeral consultant.
Of course, their own Hillichurl blood money proved more than adequate for the task.
"And you actually brought Mora, this time?"
"I did." The dark-haired man brandished a coin purse, before putting it away. "After some concentrated effort, I managed to remember my promise to you, Traveller," he replied, a faint note of humor hidden in his succulent voice.
[You know, he sounds like that one guy, from that college in the snow in that one world…]
(I want to have sex with his voice.)
[…]
[To be honest, me too.]
"Well, I'm ashamed to say it but I'm honestly surprised," Aether said with a laugh, and then tried not to get distracted by the sound of his sister's laughter coming from himself. He shook his head before continuing. "I'm glad you remembered though; I think some people were starting to get the wrong idea about our… Partnership."
"Oh?" Zhongli bowed his head. "I apologize for any embarrassment that may have been caused on my part, Traveller. You have proven to be most reliable in our preparations for the Rite of Parting."
"It's been… Entertaining at least, working with you. Still, I appreciate your willingness to share the financial burden," Aether said as he saluted the man with his glass of wine.
"Yes, the thought of breaking an agreement with a friend was ample enough to provide incentive." Zhongli tilted his head slightly. "Sorry, may I call you a friend?"
"Of course. I would be glad to be counted among your circle."
"Yes, well… I'm afraid that circle is rather… Minimal, at the moment."
Aether raised his glass to his lips, pausing before taking a sip. "Well, we all have to start somewhere, am I right?"
Zhongli nodded, taking a sip from his own glass of wine. Together, the two diners drank deeply.
Aether set his glass back down, sighing in contentment. "Ahhh, this stuff is pretty good. What did you call it again?"
The funeral consultant paused before answering, his gaze lingering on the drink as he swirled it delicately in its glass.
"This is Osmanthus wine, Traveller. It is a traditional drink of Liyue, made by mixing Baijiu with the flowers from Osmanthus fragrans, also known as the sweet olive. The taste is sublime, and it has existed for a very long time; I have heard some claim that it tastes the same as it used to… Though I couldn't say as to how they could have arrived at this conclusion. It is not an entirely unreasonable deduction however, as it is well documented that the creation process has largely stayed the same as it was since its inception. Of course, three hundred and twenty-two years ago, there was a young upstart of a winemaker named Yang Wu, who's innovative process led to the eventual rebellion by the-"
"Ahem!"
"Oh look, what's that over there?" The Traveller pointed to a nearby roof, where a young-looking woman with tired eyes had cleared her throat loudly.
"Greetings, Traveller. I've been sent on behalf of the Tianquan of the Qixing of Liyue to deliver a message."
Aether nodded at her to continue, wondering why she was giving a message in the same style someone would give a dramatic soliloquy in a stage play. Zhongli coughed into his fist, turning in his chair to look at the bluenette.
Lumine, of course, was focused on the messenger herself.
(Those hips should be illegal, because holy cow I'm gonna–)
[Shush.]
"Traveller, you are invited to visit the Tianquan in the Jade Chamber, at your earliest convenience. The sooner the better; this meeting will be beneficial to the both of you." The blue-haired woman cleared her throat, about to continue, when Aether raised his hand.
"Um… Yes?"
"I don't mean to sound rude, but uh… Who are you?"
"Oh!" The horned woman took a step back, her eyes wide. "Forgive me, I completely forgot to introduce myself…" She composed herself, though the blush on her cheeks lingered. "I am Ganyu, secretary of the Qixing."
"Nice to meet you, Ganyu."
"... Yes, it's nice to meet you as well, Traveller. As I said, the Tianquan of the Qixing of Liyue will be expecting you. That was the message. Now, if you'll excuse me," Ganyu finished with a weary bow of her head, waiting a beat for him to acknowledge the message.
Aether put a hand to his chin, which Zhongli had already started doing a couple minutes ago.
(She looks so tired.)
"Why don't you come join us, take a break?" Aether gestured to the empty chair across from him. "You loo–uh, you seem like you could use it."
A brief wave of relief passed over her face, before it was quickly replaced by disappointment.
"I-I, can't, sorry. I've got three stacks of paperwork to finish by tomorrow morning."
She made to turn away, when Zhongli raised his voice, its soothing rumble rolling across the shingles she stood on.
"Secretary Ganyu, you would be wise to listen to her words. It is only fitting that those who work so hard, are in turn rewarded with the luxury of taking a break."
The blue-haired woman seemed to pause, seriously considering his words. Aether smiled and waved at her, doing his best to keep his sister's expression innocent looking when it so often wasn't.
Ganyu suddenly nodded her head, before easily sliding down the roof and hopping down, landing in a graceful roll that belied her outward appearance. She made her way to the table, taking a seat and plopping down with an audible sigh.
Now that they had a closer view, both twins immediately found themselves enamored with the mysterious secretary.
(I want her. I want every single part of her.)
[Don't–ugh, don't say things like that.]
(You're right…)
(I need her.)
"Oh, what would you like to drink?" Aether asked, gesturing for a waiter to come over.
"Oh, I'm fine, thank you," Ganyu replied, waving the waiter away.
(Water.)
Aether suppressed his instinct to roll his eyes; instead he reached his hand into their pocket dimension and pulled a glass of water from seemingly thin air. He set it on the table and slid it over to the blue haired beauty.
"Here, miss Ganyu. If nothing else, it will make us feel better. Right, Zhongli?" Aether looked pointedly at the consultant, who had been watching the glass of water with a curious expression.
"Yes… That is correct." His orange eyes focused on the Traveller. "You never cease to surprise me, Traveller. Could you perchance explain what sort of technique you used to acquire that glass of water?"
"Sure, but, perhaps at another time," Aether tilted his head towards their guest.
"Oh, yes you're right." Zhongli smiled lightly. "I would not wish to bore a servant of the Qixing, who no doubt hears endlessly of technicalities and specifications throughout the day."
Ganyu set the now empty glass back on the table after nearly inhaling the water within, using a napkin to dab her face. "Oh, it wouldn't be a bore, Mr. Zhongli! I always find whatever you say to be fascinating!" She exclaimed, forcing her eyes to open fully.
Aether looked at the two curiously.
"You two know each other?"
"We have had dealings in the past, yes," Zhongli answered, while Ganyu simply nodded her head.
[That's interesting… There's much more to both of them than meets the eye.]
(Oh, I agree.)
(I'm sure they'd both be even more interesting with fewer clothes on. A lot fewer clothes on.)
Aether sighed. There was a moment of serenity that lingered in the short period of silence, as Zhongli sipped his wine and Ganyu listened to the storyteller on the stage. Her head bobbed down frequently, showcasing the red-black horns on her head.
Aether eyed her speculatively.
"Hmm... Miss Ganyu, you wouldn't happen to know anything about a cocogoat, would you? Or perhaps milk from a cocogoat?"
The blue-haired woman reacted animatedly. "W-what? Milk? A cocogoat? W-what are you…"
Zhongli looked vaguely amused, but kept silent.
"Well the subject came up recently, and I wondered if you knew anything about it?" Aether asked; only his own power was great enough to keep his sister's expression innocent.
(Wow, you're actually going for it. Good job, bro.)
[... She's clearly not human, and those look like goat horns, so I just thought there might have been a mistake in translation or something.]
(... Sure.)
Ganyu finally composed herself, giving Aether a strange look. "I–I uh, can't say that I do… But, there are Adapti called the Qilin; they share many features with the common goat." She explained with her hands.
Aether's gaze was instead drawn to the horns on her head. "You're an Adapti, aren't you?"
"Umm, well…" The secretary fidgeted in her seat.
"Adaptus is the singular, Traveller," Zhongli commented quietly.
Aether nodded his thanks. "My mistake. Are you part Qilin then, miss Ganyu?"
Ganyu looked down, wringing her hands in her lap.
Aether stared at her, his eyes widening in realization. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable… We can talk about something else?" He offered.
"No no, it's fine. It's just… You make me feel my age, calling me miss." She chuckled lightly. "Please, just call me Ganyu. And the same for you, Mr. Zhongli."
"Of course."
"As you wish."
Ganyu smiled tiredly. "I don't often share this, but since you seem to have figured it out already Traveller: I am an Adeptus descendent of the Qilin."
"Ah, so you are the cocogoat Qiqi spoke of…"
"Well, yes… It seems so," the bluenette chuckled awkwardly, a light blush coloring her cheeks.
(Well? You gonna ask her for some milk or what?)
Aether cleared his throat, shifting in his seat. "Don't worry, I won't pry further. Sorry if I came across strongly; it's just that I've met many different types of people before, and I always enjoy meeting new ones." The Traveller smiled, his sister's perfect white teeth shining through.
"Oh?" Ganyu perked up, while Zhongli looked equally interested. "I've heard that you're from a distant land, Traveller, and I would love to hear some of your stories!" Her warm-colored eyes shone with interest as she leaned forward in her seat. "Would you mind sharing some?"
Aether chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I suppose… There was one time, not too long ago, where I got a magic staff that could turn people into random things, like a chicken. Man, that quest was a wild ride…"
The Traveller continued their tale, their audience of two caught in rapt attention by the stories of worlds beyond theirs. By the time Aether had finished, Ganyu was resting her chin on her hand, smiling lightly, while Zhongli had left his glass unfilled for some time. Aether beamed at the both of them, warmth filling his chest and flooding his cheeks.
Of course, all the wine probably had something to do with that.
Meanwhile, Lumine's attention had fixated on something in particular.
(I just noticed, but what eye color would you even call that?)
[Red-purple?]
(Well, whatever it is, I could stare into those eyes forever…)
Aether sighed. The external conversation soon steered to the Rite of Parting, Zhongli explaining the process with Aether interjecting with humorous anecdotes about their adventures.
Lumine was simmering in the corner of their shared mind, scheming furiously.
(We're definitely coming back for her when you get your body back.)
Aether smiled and nodded at the bluenette, glad that he was in the driver's seat instead of his sister.
[Don't be a simp, Lumine.]
(… Don't make me invite Ying'er back to our room tonight. Then I'll show you what a simp really is…)
[That–that won't be necessary!]
(Yeah you're right… Lisa is already on the verge of begging, after all. And when we see Amber again… Oh boy.)
[Your corruption knows no bounds.]
(Hey, they enjoy it as much if not more than me. And I never make anyone drink the tea.)
[… I'll just pretend that I understood that.]
Soon, the time came for Ganyu to leave, as she'd forced herself awake for the fifth time in as many minutes.
"I shall take my leave now; Zhongli, Traveller, thank you for the pleasant evening." She said with a warm smile, standing in contrast to dark bags under her eyes.
Aether grinned in return, raising his glass. "Thank you for joining us, Ganyu. I'll see you in the Jade Chamber tomorrow?"
"Most definitely!" Ganyu enthused, before sharing a nod with Zhongli and turning and making her way down the street, with a noticeable slouch in her shoulders.
The two watched her leave, listening to the distant chorus of voices pervading the city. By now it was deep into the night, the dark sky covered in greyish clouds which faintly reflected the orange-tinted lanterns below.
"She is a hard worker," Zhongli said, breaking the silence. "Though I fear she does not keep a proper work-life balance." His flame-hued eyes flickered to Aether. "Perhaps you could help her with that, Traveller."
Aether downed the last of the wine before answering.
"Sure thing, Mr. Consultant."
The imposing man's lips quirked in a facsimile of a smile. "Well, I believe it is also time for me to call it a night. Until next time, Traveller."
Aether waved goodbye, starting to finally feel the effects of nine glasses of wine.
(He sure is guarded, isn't he?)
[Yeah… Did you feel it?]
(You mean did I feel the waves of divine power flowing off of him like the endless tide of the sea?)
[Oh. I guess it was pretty obvious.]
(I can only assume that the people of Teyvat have no talent for sensing the divine. Venti would have been outed long ago.)
[Also fortunate for us.]
(Well, we're also much better at hiding it. Come'on, let's go to bed so we can wake up early tomorrow! I need that cocog–I mean, we need to find out what important thing that other person wants us for.)
[Sure sure, but first…]
[... I think I'll have another glass of this wine.]
Step one: meet the tianquan
Step two: acquire the cocogoat
Step three: ?
Step four: profit
(also don't worry, there will be more mondstadt chapters in the future, i'm just writing this fic based on my experiences as i progressed through the game)