Summary: Lumine replaces her usual feathered hair accessory with the thunderbird's (Kanna Kapatcir) feather, to keep Ruu's spirit with her and let him see the world.
Mementos:
"Thoma, do you know anything about making hair accessories?"
There was an idea that had been swirling about in Lumine's mind for a little while now, and the knitting guru himself seemed like a good first port of call for information, and hopefully assistance.
"Making them?" Thoma hummed thoughtfully. "I've never tried, but I'm sure I could manage something if I put my mind to it. Why? Looking to pick up a new hobby?"
Lumine shook her head, twisting in her seat to dig around in her bag.
"Not exactly. I'm looking to modify something so that it's wearable."
She withdrew a purple feather and placed it reverently upon the table between them.
Thoma glanced at it curiously.
"Are you quite fond of feathered accessories or something?"
"Huh?" Briefly side-tracked because the question hadn't been the one she was expecting, Lumine stared blankly at him for a moment before lifting a hand to her hair in realisation. "That… isn't exactly right either." She removed the pale feather from her hair and set it down next to the purple one. "This one is a memento of family - my brother has one too. I've had it for as long as I can remember - it's like it's something that ties us together."
But now they were apart, walking separate paths to unknown destinations and all she could do was hope that their paths intersected before something was irreparably changed. In the beginning maybe she thought clinging to anything that tied them together might somehow change things, but since Aether had made it clear that he wanted her to go her own way… Well, there were more important things to worry about.
"This feather," she brushed a gentle finger across the purple feather, which glowed faintly beneath her touch, "belongs to… a friend of a friend. I made a promise to that friend, and this is my way of seeing it through."
"I see."
Lumine was surprised by the soft smile Thoma wore when she looked back up at him.
"Is there something strange about what I said?"
"Not at all. I think it's a very you thing to do. Keeping promises in any way you can, carrying memories around with you in physical form… It makes sense, that's all I meant by it."
Something about the whole scenario felt a lot weightier when someone said it out loud like that, but Lumine couldn't exactly deny it. Kanna Kapatcir's feather carried within it not just memories, but what little remained of the finally free spirit of Ruu, and she had promised to show Ruu the world.
Keeping the feather tucked away in her bag all the time might keep it safe, but it didn't feel quite right.
"Anyway." Thoma picked up the white feather, examining the clasp. "If you give me a little time to take a good look at this, I'm sure I can find the right bits and pieces to make a new one."
That made sense. Thoma was skilled, but he wasn't some miracle worker who could conjure hair clasps out of thin air.
"Please, go ahead."
oOoOo
Several days later Lumine and Paimon found themselves once again seated across a table from Thoma at the Kamisato Estate.
He had sent a message that he was finished, and indeed lying on the table between them were two feathers - one old, one new.
Having been featherless for several days there was a certain sense of importance as Lumine deliberately passed over her old accessory and picked up the thunderbird's feather, affixing the purple plumage in the normal spot.
Paimon ooh'ed and ahh'ed at the new burst of deep colour amidst her otherwise pale ensemble, a quiet solemnity underlying her praise. It was always an interesting experience being simultaneously excited for and sad about the same thing, and Paimon knew all of the sad parts that Thoma wasn't privy to.
"Does it seem secure enough?" Thoma queried, letting Paimon handle compliments while he studied his own handiwork as if he could force any flaws to show themselves if he stared hard enough. "I didn't want to be too forceful with the feather so it might not be strong enough. If anything happens feel free to come back and I'll give it another go."
Now that she had something to work with Lumine was sure she could handle some basic repairs if it came to it, but she highly doubted it would - not unless she got excessively rough with it or something happened in the heat of battle. This may have been Thoma's first feather accessory, but the man's skills were nothing to scoff at - she believed in them even if he had his own doubts.
"I'll remember," she assured. "It's great. Thank you."
"Well, as long as you're happy with it."
"I am."
Thoma nodded firmly at her, as if silently forcing himself to accept that she was content and not to keep badgering her - part of him must have wanted feedback in case he ever decided to try his hand at something like this again, but he realised that it was pointless at a time like this.
That constant drive for self-improvement was endearing, but also sometimes pretty funny. Unfortunately for Thoma Lumine's opinions on things like this landed squarely in the 'if it functions properly, it's good, if it doesn't, it's bad' department, so she'd have no constructive criticisms for him even if he asked.
"I'll bring you something as thanks," she decided, although what exactly would be a decision for another day.
"You really don't need to," he protested immediately, a fruitless endeavour that he repeated several times over tea and only giving in when they parted ways again.
They were friends, but that was all the more reason not to take other people's kindness for granted, and Thoma truly had done her a much larger favour than he was aware of.
oOoOo
As they headed back out towards Chinju Forest Lumine gently caressed the purple feather.
"Ruu," she said softly, voice barely audible. "I'm sorry for keeping you in my bag for so long. But now it's finally time to keep my promise: from here on out, I'll show you all sorts of thing across Teyvat."
Maybe it was just her imagination, but the feather seemed to warm against her fingertips for a brief moment as if in response to her declaration.
Lumine smiled.
From here on out they were an adventuring party of three rather than two.