So I wrote this three years ago, about half a year into starting Genshin Impact. It has since spawned a longer and more casual ongoing Traveler-centric series called Genshin "Firsts". For the rest of the fics following this one, please feel free to find me on AO3 as Darkfromday.
In the meantime, hope you enjoy! It was long past time I crossposted a Genshin fic on this site.
a pleasure to meet you (again)
"Allow me to introduce Mr. Zhongli," Childe says, and continues with a rather flattering description of Zhongli's professional background and relationship to the Fatui—but, alas, Zhongli does not hear it because he is no longer listening.
His surroundings disappear. The moment the young woman sits down in the closest seat to his, their eyes lock, amber on gold, and recognition sparks in his age-old mind. The tea he cradles feels warmer in his hand. The longer they stare, the more he is sure: she is the one I felt.
She had stepped through the Stone Gate into his realm a fortnight prior, accompanied by the same seelie-sized creature currently floating by her neck. The heartbeat of the earth briefly changed when a new power stepped upon its soil, and her arrival was no different. No—it was different, because Liyue's earth had hummed a strange tune her Archon had never before heard, and it had drawn his attention even from the roof of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, a thousand miles away.
Zhongli had already quietly shed his former name: Morax. He was in the process of (loudly) shedding another, with the aid of the Fatui: Rex Lapis. But stone could never entirely change its nature, and both those names tugged at the newest one, demanding he turn his gaze to the Statue of the Seven in Dihua Marsh.
A stranger with no Vision wielded Anemo powers like a well-oiled weapon all the same, blasting aside slimes and blowing away geovishaps as she traversed a familiar stone path toward Wangshu Inn, and Liyue Harbor further on. The Anemo Archon's—bard's—Venti's blessing swirled around her in an invisible breeze. His recognition alone was enough to pique Zhongli's interest still more. He closed his mortal eyes in the harbor and reached out with the power he alone commanded—he pushed until the 'eyes' he was using to see were Dihua's.
By that time the Traveler had arrived at the foot of the Statue. He felt the buzz of her curiosity as she stared up at his likeness, and his own curiosity rose in turn. She extended one white-sleeved hand and laid it on the marble—carefully, so carefully—and Zhongli was inundated with a galaxy's worth of images he had never before seen. Flying mortals, unknown realms, unspeakable power. A cheerful-looking young man with braided blond hair and a striking familiarity to the woman standing straight and tall in his lands. The two of them together, traveling for time unending. A mysterious floating goddess, with arms outstretched to block their progress. And more.
Memories. Feelings. Loss.
Subconsciously she prayed for power and guidance, and instinctively Zhongli—Rex Lapis—Morax responded. With the same rock-solid certainty he contained when bestowing a Vision to any mortal born in Teyvat, he carved away a part of his gift and sent it away to rest in her breast for the length of her lifetime. He had no need to read her heart any further: she was deserving. She would do great things with that power. Was, in fact, destined for things far greater than even stone could see.
Then the voice of her companion broke the spell of silence:
"Did... did you just feel the power of Geo?"
Far away and close by, unheard, Zhongli had given a ground-shaking chuckle.
"I... think so. Yes."
"Your connection to the elements is so different from the Vision bearers'!"
He had listened further, hoping that the tiny flying creature would grant him the Traveler's name, or her purpose for walking through Liyue—but the brief conversation had turned instead toward the identity of their new land, his dominion, and what that meant for the powers the Traveler could call to hand. And though the young woman lingered at the foot of his statue for a few minutes, she did not seem to sense his presence—and she did not make any offering after the first.
Before long, she was gone, bound for the harbor. Searching for him.
It is reassuring, Zhongli had thought at the time. Though he still had questions, they would soon be answered. The pull of destiny was in that girl; it would bring her to his side when the time was right. And if that time was soon, she might perhaps have a part to play in his fond farewell.
Until we meet again... Traveler.
The time is now right. Zhongli sweeps away his memories just in time to return to the Liuli Pavilion, surrounded by tea and a warm meal, and hear Childe share with him (at last) the Traveler's name.
Lumine.
"It is an honor to meet you," he says kindly, and silently adds, properly, since his power already sings in her veins. "I have heard tell of you from Mondstadt."
Lumine's companion (Pai-mon?) whispers fearfully about some frightening idea Childe had put in her head while Zhongli's attention had drifted—but Lumine smiles at him. Her return greeting is warm but hesitant, as though she has not had much practice yet speaking the tongue of Teyvat. Even so, he can taste the stars of other worlds in her words. She is not like the others Rex Lapis has touched in his time—not mortal, adeptus, not-quite-god.
He wonders what his power will do for her. He wonders what her power will do for him.
Yes, he thinks, it is you I felt. And the others will soon feel you too, for your role in shaping Teyvat's destiny is beyond even my sight.