Amber watched in horror as the traveler got sucked up into one of Stormterror's tornadoes. It wasn't long before she could no longer see them. Not only that, the young man in orange wearing a dinosaur hat of the same color started running towards the dangerous tornadoes attempting to save the blonde traveler.
Up in the air, Lumine was, by some miracle, staying afloat, thanks to some voice saying they were helping her.
She was flying after Stormterror when a stray gust hit her, sending her tumbling through the atmosphere, eyes closing instinctively as she eventually landed, hard, on solid ground.
"..mine! ..umine! Lumine!" A childish voice called her companion, shaking her awake.
"Mm... Ugh... Paimon?" Now named Lumine started to wake up, her voice sounded like she hit the solid ground pretty hard. "What happened?" Lumine asks while pushing herself up the empty and looking up towards her...floating baby girl? A small child that looks like a fairy? Who knows.
Paimon is a fairy-like being with thick white hair, a golden halo, dark purple cosmic eyes, a black-blue cosmic scarf, a white coat, a long big sleeve with the star, and white stockings with white boots.
Before the little fae could answer, they could hear other voices in the empty room. One by one, they slowly started to panic as they could see the others were now waking up from unconsciousness, various people wearing different clothes, men and women alike, and few she could recognize since their clothing were similar to other worlds she went before.
"Where are we?" A tall male. He has pale skin, red eyes, and bright red hair that goes down to the middle of his back as he is on guard.
Lumine checks the tall male carefully. His hair is tied in a low ponytail. he is wearing a black dress shirt, a long white vest, a black ascot with a red gem, a black coat with fur trim at the bottom, black dress pants, a strap on his right thigh, cuffed black boots, and a pair of black gloves.
"What is this place?" The second voice asks, she's a tall female. She has fair skin, gray-blue eyes, and medium-length gold-blonde hair.
Now Lumine looks at the other individual. Her hair is tied back into a high ponytail with a black bow. On her ears, she wears a pair of gold cross earrings. She wears a strapless shirt with a long blue tailcoat attached to it, a pair of separate white sleeves, a short blue and gold cloak attached to a white collar, white tights embroidered with a gold diamond-dot pattern, a pair of white high-heeled knee-high boots, and a pair of blue gauntlets. Her shirt is white with red sections and black and gold trim, and there is a golden Knights of Favonius crest on the front.
"Jean! Are you okay?" Another female voice Lumine heard, another tall female individual. She has fair skin, green eyes, and wavy, shoulder-length light honey-brown hair as she looks at the name Jean worried.
Lumine looks at the purple witch. Her hair is tied in a loose side ponytail. She wears a purple and white dress with open slits at the sides and gold embroidery, along with black gloves with pale purple trim, a large witch's hat, black lace stockings, and black high heels, and an earring is visible on one ear. There is a pale purple rose pinned to her hat and a similar one on the tie of her ponytail. Additionally, a large ornamental golden rose is attached to her belt at the hip.
Lisa mentions her name is Jean. That must be the same Jean that Amber mentioned a while ago.
"I'm okay, Lisa," Jean reassured the purple witch named Lisa. "Where are the others?"
Ask and you shall receive, another tall male walks towards them. He has a tanned complexion and navy-blue hair with streaks of lighter blue, accompanied by a waist-length lock of hair that begins at the base of his scalp on the back of his head at the left. His visible eye is periwinkle with a diamond-shaped pupil. "We are inside an unknown empty area. But, we are not alone." He answered.
Lumine turned her head towards the tanned man. He wears a half-cape with a fur collar; a white-collared, cleavage-revealing blouse; dark, tight-fitted trousers; and knee-length boots. He has a blue earring on his left ear. One thing the traveler notices is that he's wearing a black eye patch, she thinks that man is a pirate.
"Kaeya," Lisa calls out his name, surprised that he was there.
"What does it mean that we're not alone?" Jean confusingly looks at Kaeya.
"Look around you, Master Jean." Kaeya gestured.
Jean and Lisa looked around the empty area, and they saw several people now waking up. Some of them panicking while others are calming themselves, few of them are approaching the people they are familiar with or they want to be alone and wary towards strangers which is understandable.
"Master Jean! Lisa! Kaeya!" A third female voice calls out to the trio.
"Amber!" This time, it was Jean who looked surprised.
Lumine spotted a familiar medium female just like her. She has long dark brown hair, orange-gold eyes, and fair skin. She wears a jumper-like outfit composed of dark brown shorts, a red top that has only a hood and sleeves, a white and brown top with the Knights of Favonius crest in gold on the front, red stockings, and white thigh-high boots embellished with gold linings and symbols. Amber's accessories include a leather belt with two small bags, gloves, a small belt on her right thigh, and gold-framed goggles. Her most distinguishing feature is the headband with the large red bow that rests on her head, resembling the shape of bunny ears.
With a sigh of relief, Lumine is glad Amber looks safe and sound.
"It's good that you're safe, Amber." Lisa hugs the red bunny girl.
"I'm glad you're safe as well, Lisa." Amber reciprocated the hug.
"It seems the Knights of Favonius are here." Diluc joins the group.
"Hello, Diluc." The pirate-looking knight greeted.
"Kaeya." Diluc's eyes narrowed a little.
"Yes. We are here as well." A third male voice could be heard, however, he was not alone. With him, a small girl with pale skin, light red eyes, pale blonde hair with a prominent cowlick and elf ears(?), a female knight that dresses up as a maid(?). She has short, neck-length pale gray hair with a straight fringe and lopsided locks of hair framing her face. A section of hair is braided over her bangs and pinned down at the right side of her face with a gold shield clip. Her eyes are olive green, and another tall female has a pale complexion and eyes that appear to exhibit sectoral heterochromia, fading from dark purple to pale yellow. She has choppy, unevenly cut light blue hair.
"Master Jean!" The small elf girl launches herself towards the blonde ponytail adult, giving her a heartwarming hug.
"Oof..!" Master Jean felt that and almost stumbled backward but she did return the hug. "Hello, Klee." Then, her green eyes look towards her other fellow knights. "It's good to see you two, Albedo and Eula."
"The feeling is mutual, Master Jean." Now named Albedo is a medium individual just like Amber and Lumine. He has bright teal eyes with three dots in each iris, pale skin, and pale blond hair reaching below his shoulders. Due to being a synthetic human, a gold diamond marking can be found on his neck. His hair is partially pulled back in a braided half ponytail. He wears a long white coat with short sleeves and a black hood. Under this, he wears an indigo shirt and a pair of black shorts, embellished thigh-high black boots with silver accents, and long black gloves.
"Hmph." Eula only crosses her arms under her chest, however, she is glad her fellow higher-up/sworn enemy/rival is safe, including the other knights, especially her best friend/younger sister (whom she will never voice out)/ another enemy (she could list in her mind what she had done) is also safe.
The red bunny knight sighs at the sight of Eula's attitude. She knew she meant well, it was just her way of concern towards people who were close to her. "Hey, Eula!" She happily waves at her friend. Her only response to her was her face looking at the other huffing again and shyly waving back. Amber giggles softly looking at how cute Eula is right now.
Jean looks over the knight in the group and then looks back at the other people trying to find who is missing.
"Master Albedo!" Another female voice ran towards the Knights of Favonius.
"You're here as well, Sucrose?" Albedo looks surprised and glad at her fellow companion.
Sucrose is another medium female. She has fair skin, amber eyes, and light green hair that is chin-length except for a section at the back of her head that goes down to her hips. She wears a pair of black round spectacles. Sucrose also has light green animal ears; the animal they correspond to is unknown and the subject of some of Sucrose's investigations.
The long section of Sucrose's hair is tied into a low ponytail. She wears thick, white gloves; black-rimmed glasses; a blue corset with a ruffled hem and the Knights of Favonius crest; cape collar; and a pair of white boots and black thigh-highs with garter.
Arriving at the group, Sucrose's hands are on top of her knees catching a little bit of breath and wiping off small droplets of sweat. "I heard Stormterror is attacking Mondstadt, so I help the citizens to evacuate and before I knew it, I was unconscious." She tells them her story from her point of view.
"Really? I too was unconscious as well when I was conducting experiments." Albedo added.
It's Noelle's turn to tell them what happens to her. "I was outside transporting some crates when Stormterror attacked, knocking the crate out of my hands and myself included." The last part was embarrassing.
Noelle has a typical maid ensemble except for a priestess hat, a cravat, and many fuchsia roses, which she wears to remind herself to never leak confidential information. Her dress has two bows, one at her hip and the other at her rear. Gilded white armor plating adorns her chest and she wears a pauldron on her left shoulder. She also wears black tights beneath her armored boots.
"Did the crate hit your head? I can give you medical attention, Noelle." Again. Another female voice is concerned about Noelle's injury.
"Ah, Miss Barbara." The maid looks medium female just like her. She has ash blonde hair, gray-blue eyes, and fair skin accompanied by another tall female. She has ghostly pale gray skin, pale magenta eyes with narrow white pupils, and choppy wine-colored hair cut short in the back with a shoulder-length fringe and some strands of her bangs colored a darker red.
"Thank Archon everybody is alright!" Barbara looks relieved everybody is there, especially when her eyes land on Jean.
Barbara wears her hair in two high pigtails that spiral downward. She wears a white frock that is open at the shoulders and a large white and blue bow in the front along with white tights, white ankle boots, a blue and white cap, a gold-adorned spell-book with a light blue cover, and a small cross charm hangs at her side.
Noelle ruffled her head lightly, feeling the mild pain in her head when she was unconscious. "I suppose I need one. Thank you, Miss Barbara."
Barbara nodded and started her medical aid. "You're welcome."
"It seems everyone is here." The tall ghost said.
"Do you know where we are, Rosaria?" Master Jean asks and Rosaria shakes her head while her hand is at her hip.
Rosaria wears a form-fitting nun's habit consisting of a long white and black coif with red lining, a white sleeveless turtleneck top, long white gloves, and a long black and red slit skirt that partially reveals her right leg that completely reveals her left. She wears black belts around her left thigh, along with black fishnet tights and silver high-heels. Her outfit is adorned with multiple silver and white gold accessories embedded with red gems; including a silver tiara on top of her coif, a silver pendant on her white top, a white gold brooch on her left shoulder and left hip, multiple silver claw rings on her fingers and a small silver censer tied to her right wrist with a long piece of black cloth.
Lumine questions her mind if Rosaria dressed as a nun, her outfit looks...revealing?
While everybody was talking to each other questioning what place they stood in, they didn't notice a new individual walking towards them silently.
"It seems everyone is here, very good."
Everybody. I mean, EVERYBODY summons their respective weapons in hand. Swords, claymores, polearms, bows, and catalysts pointed toward the man standing in front of them.
He seems to be a medium male with a young face, He has spiky, desaturated brown hair with a prominent ahoge and complete heterochromia; his left eye is red, whilst his right eye is green. He is wearing a white jacket with black details from the collar, from the shoulder to his sleeves vertically, and the wrist as well while wearing a light purple sweater underneath, jeans, and black sneakers.
"At ease everyone." He held his hands up. "Stay your weapons, I mean no harm." The man started to calm down after the intense atmosphere.
The first one to respond is a medium female. She has fair skin, amethyst eyes with rhombus-shaped pupils, and waist-length purple hair that turns silver-purple at the ends. "Why should we listen to you? You could be an enemy from an unknown organization." She said, pointing her sword at the same height directly to his face.
Her hair is tied into waist-length twin-tails, topped by small odango-style buns resembling cat ears. There is also a small braid running along the side of her bangs. She wears a pale lavender top with a high violet collar and ruffled dark blue skirt, layered under a deep violet overcoat, engraved with Xiang Yun and
peacock motifs. The opening of her overcoat is marked by a golden ornament, with white flowers and purple and gold-accented feathers attached. The pattern of the feathers resembles the ones on the dangling backs of her detached long sleeves. In addition, she wears a golden hairpin, a pair of drop earrings, a tasseled choker, and dark gloves with lavender trim.
"I understand how you feel, miss Keqing. But I am not your enemy." The man tried to reassure her. Keyword; "tried"
"Wha-! How did you know my name!?" The cat girl's name Keqing stammers and is on guard at times twenty.
The same goes for everybody shocked and warier than ever. This man knows everybody's names, what's next, their information about themselves?
"If you're thinking what I'm thinking? Then yes, I know all about you."
That didn't cool off the tension inside the empty room. Everyone started to form elemental powers from their weapons. Wind, Earth, Lightning, Leaf, Water, Fire, and Ice.
"And if I was an enemy, I could and would have killed you on the spot earlier when all of you are sleeping." He pointed out the logic. "Now would you please put down your weapons so we can talk like normal civilians?"
That seemed to do the trick, some of them lowered their weapon but they kept their guard up just in case everything went out of control.
"Well then, everyone seems to have calmed down so let us start our introduction." The man coughs a little to clear his throat. "Hello everyone, my name is Naegi Makoto. I am what they call me, a Guardian." The ahoge wearing a white jacket finishes introducing. "And yes, while my name sounds like Inazuma, it's similar to my homeland, but with a different name." Makoto clarified before anyone could question it.
"A Guardian?" A tall female looking confused yet interested from his title alone. She has fair skin, purple eyes, and thigh-length pink hair. In her regular form, she has purple eyes and long, muted pink hair that is tied at the bottom. She also has pink fox ears that point downward. While she lacks a tail in this form, her hair is tied at the bottom. She wears a unique and stylized variation of clothing inspired by the colors of a shrine priestess' traditional outfit. She wears a golden head accessory accompanied by matching golden earrings. The right earring contains an Electro Inazuman Vision wrapped in a complex drop-shaped piece and decorated by a small fan-shaped accessory at the bottom. The earrings are attached to her ears by diamond-shaped studs.
"Yes miss Yae Miko. I am a Guardian. I must watch countless worlds to maintain peace."
Lumine looks at Makoto in shock. A person who knows other worlds just like her and her brother, it must be possible for him to travel from different worlds as well.
"Oh~ That's an interesting claim." A medium male who has fair skin, aqua-green eyes, and short black hair with short twin braids at the sides of his face that fade into aqua at the tips. He wears a frilly white top with a corset-like leather midsection, along with teal shorts with gold embroidery, and a matching teal cape held together by a deep blue and gold bow. He also wears white stockings with three gold diamond shapes along each leg and a beret-like hat with a Cecilia, which is his favorite flower.
Makoto chuckles. For them to prove it is real, action is needed. With a snap of his fingers, the whole room lit up like a light show and started to change, making everyone jump a bit and stumble on their feet or fall flat on their bottom as they saw floating in what assumed to be space. Not only that, they saw floating balls of different colors appear all around them, making them look around at them in awe (some of them looked neutral but they were fascinated by a light show).
"Oh~!"
"It's beautiful!"
"Master Jean, they're so sparkly!"
"Oh wow!"
"Lumine look!" The little fae points to one of the glowing orbs in color pearl white. "They look like stars!"
"They really do..." The traveler herself seems to have her mouth agape and in awe. Never in her life had she seen this as space.
"You are correct, little Paimon." Everyone stops gawking at the orbs as Makoto starts talking. "You see, this magic of mine lets me view different worlds like stargazing. That's why the room looks like outer space." He then commands one of the orbs to come in front and then he expands it like the size of a ball. "All of these glowing orbs are 'stars'. Stars that gleam in different time eras and alternate eras. For example, you Lumine." His finger points towards the female dressed in white that looks out of place.
"Me?" Lumine points at herself confused as to why he picked her.
"Oh! Lumine!" Amber dashed towards the traveler, giving her a bear hug. "Oof!"
"I'm so glad you're okay!" Amber looks like she's about to cry.
"I-I'm glad to be alive, Amber..." Lumine looks like she's about to lose oxygen.
"A-amber...! Let go, I-I can-n't breathe-!"
"EEEK!" Paimon shrieks in fear. "Amber, you're killing Lumine!"
"Huh?" The bunny knight looks at Lumine's blue face. She quickly let go, giving the traveler some space. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean-"
"It's okay, Amber. I would feel the same when I was in your shoes." The blonde-haired traveler coughs and then collects air to breathe again. "Anyway. Why me?" She asks.
"You're brother missing right?" She flinches but nods. "Well, instead of your brother, it was you who is missing."
"What?!" Lumine is shocked at that revelation. "I'm missing?!"
"Yes." The Guardian nods and then continues. "That is why I'm here to help you." His heterochromia looks at everyone. "All of you."
"All of us?" A female with pale skin, light silver-blue eyes with sky blue pupils, and very light waist-length blue-white hair styled in a cut in front. She also has a small mole under her left eye. Her hair is tied in a high ponytail by a black armored headdress accented with gold. The chin-length locks of hair framing her face are tied at ear-level with white accessories bordered with gold and fastened with bright pink cords tied in cloverleaf knots. She wears a royal blue pleated knee-length skirt embroidered with an assortment of patterns, bearing gold accents and a small white flower print with a pair of white shorts with lace trim at the base underneath, and black geta sandals with ankle-length white socks decorated by pink cloverleaf knots at the back. She has a black breastplate with a golden Kamisato Clan emblem in the center and matching armor platings on the sides of her skirt. Underneath her breastplate is a loose elbow-length shirt with gradients of blue to white. Her cuffs and collar on her top are navy with a variety of gold stripes. She wears black sleeves underneath the loose shirt, sling over her middle fingers, and covering both of her thumbs. On top of her black sleeves are white armored platings lined by gold metal, tied together by red knots. At the back of her outfit is a large royal blue bow, tied together by her Vision and another bright pink cloverleaf knot. The lower half of the ribbons darken in color with gold
markings of the same type seen throughout Inazuma. She also carries around a gold-navy fan that matches her skirt.
The ahoge Guardian nods. "Yes, miss Ayaka. All of you. I gather everyone here to watch the future."
Well, that drops the bombshell on them and everyone is silent for a few minutes until a cold tone of voice is the first one to speak.
"How can we trust you that you're telling the truth and that this isn't some sort of trap to lure us in?" A medium *a-hem small* man. He has dark medium-length hair with teal undertones, pale skin, golden irises with avian pupils, and red eyeshadow and also has a purple diamond marking on his forehead and a green tattoo around his right arm. He wears a white sleeveless shirt with subtle cloud patterns. It has a high black collar with golden accents, with its left side extending further to cover its shoulder. He wears baggy dark purple pants, and wears dark purple boots overtop, black and dark turquoise gloves with gold decals, and a necklace. Around his left arm, he wears a white and gold sleeve with a red lining and is usually seen carrying his Yaksha mask on the back of his right hip.
Unfazed by the man's glare, the guardian turned to a girl with fair skin, pale sea-green eyes, and waist-length dark purple hair that turned slightly red at the ends. Her fringe is uneven. "I can assume that Miss Mona here can vouch for the sincerity of my intentions." Makoto gestured his hand towards the girl.
That girl Mona's hair is tied up with black ribbons into two twin tails with two gold compasses and rose ornaments clamped onto the tips. Her accessories consist of a gold earring that resembles a compass rose on her left ear, a black choker necklace adorned with another gold compass rose, a gold ornament on her right thigh, and a large blue-purple witch hat, adorned with gold compass rose decals and ornaments. Mona wears a low-cut blue-purple
backless leotard with detached blue-purple sleeves on her forearms and black gloves, along with a short blue-purple cloak, buttoned with a gold compass rose ornament hanging above her chest. She wears black translucent tights decorated with four-pointed stars on her left thigh.
Mona flinched and whatever magic she was doing before disappeared like water droplets. She quickly regains her posture and crosses her arms. "As an astrologist, I can see no ill intentions coming from him. I can assure you he is telling the truth." The blue witch stated.
"Is that enough proof for you, Yaksha Xiao?" Makoto glanced back at the dark-haired Yaksha. Xiao's impassive look on his face returned, already asked enough.
"Alright, now that my introduction is done, it's your turn to get acquainted with one another!" The Guardian exclaimed as they hopped their way inside the room with a large screen.
"After you guys finish, then we can start with the viewing." He then left the crowd until he came looking embarrassed. "Oh, I almost forgot to give you this." With a snap of a finger, each one of them has been given a map. "You can explore inside the house to familiarize yourself AND then we can start with the viewing. I bid you all, adieu!" Makoto finally left the scene.
Still confused by their predicament, but at least they have an inkling as to what their purpose for being here is.
Lumine couldn't believe she got sent to another world, again, her luck was unbelievably bad today. However, something in her mind is telling her she's missing someone, but who...
"I guess we should start with the introductions, no?" They turned their attention to the green-cladded bard, Lumine swore the bard looked in her direction, an amused grin present on his youthful face. It seems he also remembered their fateful encounter in the forest.
"Yes. A proper introduction is in order." The woman in a high ponytail spoke up once more, bringing order to the chaotic murmurs. "I'll start, my name is Jean Gunndhildr the Acting Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius." Jean gave a small salute as she introduced herself, with an air of professionalism hovering over her.
"I'm Amber, an Outrider for the Knights of Favonius!" Amber flashed a quick smile at everyone.
A woman dressed in purple stepped up. "Oh, my~ I guess it's my turn." She giggled to herself as she introduced herself. "My name's Lisa Minci, the resident librarian of Mondstadt."
The sound of a coin flick drew their attention as they turned to the tan-skinned man with blue hair. "Kaeya, Cavalry Captain of the Knights of Favonius, though there isn't exactly a cavalry to captain at the moment." His voice didn't help dispel his shadiness, the eyepatch increased that feeling. Lumine guesses that this man held a couple of secrets in his closet.
A curious gaze broke Lumine from her thoughts, and she quickly avoided Kaeya's vigilant eye, pretending not to notice.
He's a shady one that's for sure.
Noelle snorted slightly before catching herself, but the noise caught everyone's attention. "Oh, my apologies. My name is Noelle, a maid working for the Knights of Favonius." She introduces herself with a curtsy.
"There's no need for the formality," Jean said, as Noelle sputtered a hasty apology before snapping her mouth shut and simply nodding.
"I'm Albedo, the chief alchemist of the Knights of Favonius." he gestured toward the small elf child beside him. "And this is Klee, the Spark Knight."
"Reporting for duty!" Klee bounced around but she was kept in place by Albedo's firm hand gripping hers.
"I-I'm Sucrose, a researcher of Bio Alchemy." A green-haired girl spoke up next, her fox-like ears slightly twitching. "I'm one of mister Albedo's assistants." A faint blush adorned her cheeks as she tried to avoid everyone's gaze.
"Eula Lawrence, the Spindrift Knight and Captain of the Reconnaissance Company of Knights of Favonius. I extend to you my greetings." The light blue-haired knight introduces herself.
"I'm Barbara Pegg, the Deaconess of the Church of Favonius." The young girl looked like a younger Jean in a way, Lumine briefly wondered if the two were related.
The ghostly nun spun her small blade from her finger. "Rosaria, the least devout nun of the Church of Favonius." She introduces herself boldly without any care.
"Rosaria!" The deaconess looks at Rosaria with an incredulous look.
"Hmph..." The least devoted nun finishes spinning her blade, keeping it from the side of her pockets(?).
The green-cladded bard almost burst into laughter before he composed himself, he strummed a lyre out and they turned towards him back again. "Venti the bard. Three-time winner of the 'Most Popular Bard of Mondstadt.' to be precise." He played out a small tune as his aquamarine eyes shone slightly.
Okay… Lumine saw another suspicious person, this one is even shadier than Kaeya.
"Diluc Ragnvindr. The owner of Dawn Winery." The redhead man introduced himself, his arms were neatly folded across his chest.
"I am Astrologist Mona Megistus, meaning 'The Great Astrologist Mona.' a traveling astrologist. It's a pleasure to meet you all." The woman from before introduced herself, hovering in her hand was a blue chart formed in the shape of a wheel. What was she doing with that wheel?
"I am Ningguang, the Tianqquan of the Liyue Qixing." The white-haired woman spoke up, an air of elegance hovering around her.
A purple-haired woman stepped up. "I'm Keqing, the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing." Lumine wondered if those were actual cat ears or if it was just hair.
"My name is Ganyu, the general secretary of the Liyue Qixing. I work with Lady Ningguang." A light blue-haired woman introduced herself, the traveler found herself staring at the pair of horns on top of her head.
"...Xiao." The man-child- I mean! The Yaksha from before, grumble out.
"I'm Xiangling, a chef from Liyue!" The girl, the complete opposite of the boy before she introduced herself then gestured toward a small bear-like creature. "And this here is my friend, Guoba!" The small bear waved at them happily.
"Greetings everyone, I am Xingqiu from the Feiyun Commerce Guild and a practitioner of the Guhua Clan's arts." A medium male with blue hair gave a slight bow as he introduced himself.
Those in Liyue knew Xingqiu was hiding who he was, but they didn't pry.
The boy beside Xingqiu gave a small bow. "I am Chongyun, an exorcist." He then proceeds to eat a popsicle out of nowhere.
"Xinyan's the name!" A dark-skinned girl gave a small wave as she brought her hand to her hips, a guitar strapped behind her back.
"My name is Yun Jin, the current director of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe." The girl gave an elegant bow.
A woman with brown hair like Amber, but longer and in pigtails, was next to speak. "I'm Hu Tao, 77th director for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, and this is-"
She was interrupted by the person she was trying to introduce, a man who also had brown hair, pulled back into a long ponytail. "Director Hu, I can introduce myself. You can call me Zhongli. I'm a consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parol. Hu Tao is my boss." His bright amber eyes stood out to Lumine.
It was just like Venti's eyes...very strange.
"Ho? How interesting. My name is Tartaglia, but you can call me by my codename: Childe, with an 'E' at the end." The ginger spoke with a small grin tugging at his features. "The number 11th of the Fatui Harbingers. But don't worry, I don't plan on giving any of you trouble, not while we're here at least." The last he said is pretty laid-back.
There is silence in the room, Amber turns her head toward Lumine's confused look amongst the glares in hostility, the strongest of which came from Diluc and could potentially kill a thousand hilichurls with just a glance, and he looks like he desperately wants to throttle Childe
Paimon looked at Lumine as well and said. "Paimon will explain later."
"I am Shenhe." The tall woman introduced herself next, not noticing the tense atmosphere.
Chongyun's eyes widened a fraction as he turned his gaze toward the woman. 'Shenhe...? Wait, does that mean she's my...'
"Looks like I'm next." A woman with long waist-length dark brown hair and fair skin, Her right eye is a deep ruby-colored hue melting into gold, and her left eye is covered by a red eyepatch just like Kaeya. "The name's Beidou, I'm the Captain of the Crux Fleet." She grins as she crosses her arm under her chest.
'Is she a pirate like Kaeya? Hold on a second, is Kaeya a pirate too?' Lumine wonders about that thought in her mind.
"Kaedehara Kazuha, a wandering samurai, currently sailing with Captain Beidou. But you can call me Kazuha. It's nice to meet you all." The man finished, his hair has a red streak that goes against the whiteness of the rest of it and it is tied in a side ponytail.
"My name's Thoma, I'm a housekeeper for the Kamisato Clan in Inazuma and an attendant to milady here. But I was born in Mondstadt." A tall blonde-haired man stood beside the light blue-haired duo.
That's something that has the foreseeable effect of getting all Mondstadt residents to look at him with varying degrees of interest, especially Noelle. Perhaps she ought to discuss cleaning tips with him.
"Sayu, a ninja from the Shuumatsuban, at your disposal! Whew, but if you don't need me right now. I'm gonna grab some sleep." A pint-sized girl with short beige hair and reddish eyes wearing a hoodie and a tail that is styled after a mujina yawns cutely and then proceeds to take a nap, much to everyone's sweating, and laughs awkwardly. Thoma could only sigh in resignation.
"Greetings, Master of Inazuma Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu-Kamisato Ayaka from the Kamisato Clan, also known as the Shirasagi Himegimi from Inazuma. Delighted to make your acquaintances." The light blue-haired maiden said with a bow, she then gestured her hand towards the man beside her. "And this is my brother."
"Kamisato Ayato, Yashiro Commissioner of Inazumas Tri commission. The feeling is mutual." He finished Ayaka's sentence as he too gave a small bow.
"Wait, huh?!" An almost outraged exclamation from a very tall man with red horns. "You're what?!"
"Boss!" The green-haired woman wearing a mask elbows his side.
"Ow!"
"My apologies, Commissioner. I'm Kuki Shinobu and this idiot oni next to me is," Her thumb points at the oni. "Arataki Itto."
"Hey! I think you mean Arataki 'the one and oni' Itto, the best leader of the Arataki gang." He proudly exclaims as he pulls out a comb from who knows where and starts combing his hair, much to everyone's confusion.
Shinobu sighs heavily. "Don't you mean the only leader? Anyway, I should probably mention I'm the deputy leader of Itto's gang. If you have any problems with him, just let me know and I'll sort him out."
"That's right, Shinobu the-wait, no hold on!" Itto did a double take and felt offended.
Shinobu gives him THE look, "Not right now, boss. Who's going next?"
"I don't mind." A pink lady spoke up next with a soft voice. "I am Sangonomiya Kokomi, the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island and a descendant of the Sangonomiya Clan." She gestured towards the dog-eared man beside her. "This is General Gorou of the Resistance Group." As the general nodded his tail made a small wag.
Lumine didn't miss how his eyes kept falling on the lady with pink hair and fox ears.
"I'm Nagohara Yoimiya, the current owner of Nagohara Fireworks in Inazuma. It's nice to meet you all!" She gave a small wave as she cheerfully introduced herself.
"...Kujo Sara, a General for the Shogun's army, and I am part of the Tenryou Commission." the woman with an indigo uneven bob cut hair and she has noticeable two pairs of black raven-like wings that can unfurl from her back. Additionally, on the side of her head lies a red tengu mask that resembles a crow's face with a white accent, a black crest, and a hexagonal piece resembling a toxin.
When Sara said that, she looked over to a woman with long purple hair in a braid. However, quite a few people were looking at her expectantly, she made no move to speak.
"Hmm, being stubborn, are we, Ei?" A woman with pink hair and fox ears from before spoke up. "I am Yae Miko, Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine and I own the Yae Publishing House. Her hand gestured towards the same purple-braid-haired woman beside her. "The woman beside me here who refuses to speak is Ei, or you might be more familiar with the name of Raiden Shogun." She introduces herself and the Raiden Shogun in her stead.
"Miko!" Ei sharply exclaims.
Yae Miko just laughs lightly. "Oh don't be like that. I have a feeling they would have learned sooner or later, no? And only knowing your formal title feels so stuffy, honestly. Frankly, I'm more preoccupied with this being the first time we've properly seen each other in centuries."
"Miko..." The Shogun's voice carries another distinct warning, but Miko doesn't seem perturbed.
"Please. We both know you're happy to see me. But that is a discussion we can have later." The fox Guuji finishes talking.
Seconds later, chaos started to erupt inside the room which still has glowing stars and outer space.
"Eh!?"
"The Raiden Shogun!"
"She's the Electro Archon?!"
"No way!"
"Why is she here!?"
Lumine looks at the Electro Archon hesitantly, so she's one of the Seven that Paimon told her about...maybe she could ask Ei later if she knew anything about her brother.
She felt Paimon nudging her arm as she saw everyone was waiting her turn to introduce herself, after clearing her throat she spoke. "Hi. I'm Lumine, a traveler from another world and no, I'm not like the Guardian." She quickly clarifies.
"And Paimon's name is Paimon!" The small fae said as she floated above everyone's head.
"Paimon...what a curious being. Not only do you give off the essence of wind, but also...yes, the stars." says Kazuha as he describes the scent.
Paimon just looks weirded out. "The essence of what now? What a weird compliment..."
The Acting Grandmaster looks at everyone. "Is this everyone?" She asks.
An hour ago, Lumine thought she had forgotten someone with them. Now it clicks at her, she remembers a boy wearing an orange jacket with an orange cap backward with three white horns with the letter "B" which is the shape of a yellow lightning bolt.
"Amber." The outworlder looks at the outrider.
"Yes?"
"Where's Boboiboy?" She asks worriedly.
"Eh?"
"Oh yeah! Paimon forgot about Boboiboy too!" Paimon held her head, racking her brain for getting tiny amnesia.
Meanwhile, both Lumine and Amber turn every corner if they find their orange companion.
"He's not here!" Lumine exclaims
Jean looks at the trio, concerned on her face as she walks towards them. "Is something the matter, Amber?"
"Master Jean! We're missing someone!"
"Can you tell me who this person is missing?"
"It's one of Lumine's companions, he's probably from another world, right?" The bunny knight asks which Lumine nods correctly. "His name is Boboiboy."
"I see," Jean put her hand under her chin. "can you describe what he looks like?"
"Uh... Dark brown hair and eyes.." Amber thinks hard about what he looks like.
"Yup. Dark brown hair but his eyes are ordinary brown." Lumine said. "He's the same height as me, he wears a black shirt with his sleeves short it reaches to the elbow, a bright orange vest that is partially open with paddings on the outside, blue pants, and a black belt, his boots are black, white and grey, I think he wearings some kind of square watch over his red arm-warmers, an orange cap with three white spikes from the top and they're less yellow spots. The zipper of his vest and the logo on his cap are shapes of the letter 'B' and it almost looks like a yellow lightning bolt." Lumine finishes perfectly describing Boboiboy.
"Wow!" Amber looks impressed. "You must have a good memory remembering all that." And complimented Lumine.
"Is there something wrong?" The Guardian arrives at the perfect time. "Guardian!" The traveler runs up to him. "You forgot to bring Boboiboy here."
"Oh, you mean the young man wearing orange and he has a dinosaur cap on?"
"Yes, that's him!"
"I didn't forget him. I tried summoning him here but some kind of anomaly is preventing me." He looks at the sad traveler giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry, if you're wondering about being missing back in the real world, time at the moment is stopped and will only return once you finally discover the truth."
This information is heard by them and it is filled with murmurs as Lumine could only stand there in shock. The fact that this person managed to stop time is a pretty good indicator of just how powerful he is.
"You all have time in the world to prepare yourselves once you get back at the real down!" That was all he could say before they were greeted once again with silence, as the Guardian; Naegi Makoto left them once more, and the moderately sized crowd began to disperse.
The back of the main room opens up into a large kitchen and dining space, with many tables and chairs scattered around. The pantry and abnormally large ice box are stocked with all the basics and some ingredients Noelle isn't familiar with.
"Plenty of counter space."
Noelle looks over to Thoma. "Oh, do you cook too?"
Thoma smiles. "Well, I'm a housekeeper, so cooking is one of my many responsibilities."
"But why have a kitchen at all?" Diluc approaches the two, and both she and Thoma nod their heads respectfully. "I don't know about you two, but I find this whole thing extremely suspicious. Just how long does Alitheia think we're going to be here that we'd need to prepare food? And to have so many ingredients in stock?"
"Well, you do have a point, Master Diluc," Noelle agreed. "But we'll just have to wait, I suppose."
"Hey, guys!" Liyue's chef joins the group. "Are you talking about anything related here?"
Thus we leave Noelle, Xiangling, and Thoma discussing in the kitchen what happens back in the star room. Diluc left them investigating other rooms, Ayato and Chongyun browsing for something on the left side of the kitchen.
That only leaves Lumine to enter the kitchen with Paimon grabbing light food to fill their stomach.
"I hope Boboiboy is okay." Lumines solemnly looks sad as she goes to the fridge, takes a cold bottle of water and starts to quench her thirst.
"Don't worry, Lumine! Everything is going to be fine!" Paimon's voice is filled with positivity. "If we watch the future, we can help Boboiboy out. Not only that, he wields incredible powers back when he fought those hilichurls."
Lumine remembers what happened back in the real world, she knows that was only half the partial power Boboiboy just showed, however, that's just a guess. Who knows, maybe he will explain what's his power when they get back.
"Come on, Lumine! Paimon is getting hungry." The small fae girl exclaims as her stomach begins to rumble.
Lumine giggles at the sounds of her stomach. She could think later about what's on her mind but she is still worried about him being alone at Mondstadt.
With a couple of tri-color dangos (Lumine swore she could feel someone staring at them) in tow, the pair head towards the viewing room (both Lumine and Paimon thanking Makoto for giving them the map) where they see some of the people had already found their place on the floor and seats with tables.
She made herself comfortable on the soft pillow and grabbed a couple more where she made a pillow throne for Paimon.
The lights started to dim as everyone made themselves comfortable and the screen in front of them lit up in white light.
"Before we start." Makoto grabs everyone's attention. "Since we are going to watch the future, I'm sure you guys don't mind a few secrets getting revealed in the process, right?"
The room fell silent as they thought about what they should do next.
"We are watching the future after all," They turn their heads to Venti. "a few secrets have to be revealed if we want to learn more."
Zhongli looks at the bard with fascination, it seems the Anemo Archon (everyone didn't know except him and Raiden Shogun) has made his decision on this matter.
Diluc gave Venti's words some thought and decided he could live with people viewing him knowing about his...strange nightly routines. But he knows dealing with knights' reactions would be annoying for sure.
"I agree with the bard." Ayato settled as the rest nodded in agreement.
"Hehe,~ there would be no point in keeping secrets now would it~" Hu Tao giggled as she ignored the way her consultant looked at her.
"Good, I sincerely hope you enjoy the show! I'll be elsewhere, but if you need anything just ask and I'll answer telepathically, so don't expect to see me in person very much." The Guardian informs them before he snaps his fingers giving them notepads/notebooks and pencils, "For you all to write down in case you need to change your 'path'" He said as everyone thanked him, he pressed the play button, and the video finally played.