Lyudochka enjoyed her new life as a shrine maiden. The pay was good, the work rewarding, and she loved every second.

That morning, she helped several visitors with their fortunes. She finished helping a nice young man when a new person approached the stand.

"Hello, how can I help—?"

Her voice caught in her throat.

"Hello, sister," said a voice she never thought she'd hear again.

"Kat," she said breathlessly. It took every ounce of self-control not to break from the kiosk and tackle her sister. She asked her superior, "May I take a break early?"

"Take all the time you need," was her reply.

Lyudochka raced out from the desk and embraced her sister. Katarina hugged her back.

"How are you here?" She asked in wonder. "Come, let's find someplace we can talk."

Lyudochka brought her sister into a shrine normally reserved for the Guji. There, she took in Katarina.

That green hair and violet eyes, that smile she remembered from childhood…she traded her Electro Cincin Mage attire for a nondescript civilian outfit. Inazuma's style suited her well.

"I can't believe you're here," she said, eyes watering. "How's Nikolay?"

"He's fine aside from a broken leg. How are you?"

"I've never been better. I've got a great job and I'm doing what I love."

Lyudochka gushed on and on about her days working in the shrine and light novel house. She talked and talked until her throat went sore.

Katarina smiled. "You've made a life for yourself here."

"Yes, and all I had to do was die." They chuckled. Lyudochka clasped Katarina's hands. "I'm so glad you're okay. When you went to the Chasm, I thought you were lost."

"I almost was. Aether saved me."

"He did?! You too?!"

Katarina nodded. Lyudochka shook her head in disbelief.

"Wow. That man is something else. Next time I see him, I'll thank him."

She smiled, coming in for a second hug. Katarina's body felt solid. She'd been eating well. Knowing that made Lyudochka happy.

They held each other, basking in their warmth.

"Look at me," said Lyudochka. "I've been doing all the talking. What are you up to now?"

"Like you, I've made a new life for myself. Father reassigned me and Nikolay to safer jobs by the Hearth. I've even got a boyfriend now."

"Really?! I've never seen you crack a grin and you're telling me you got a boyfriend? Tell me everything!"

So, Katarina told her the whole story.

"Aether never gave up on me," said Katarina. "Me, a Fatui foot soldier."

"He must've liked the firewater you served him," chuckled Lyudochka. "Seriously though, I'm so happy for you."

"I'm happy for you too. We both have new lives now."

"Yeah, I never thought I could live this way."

"Me neither," said Katarina. "But we can, thanks to him."

"What will you do now?"

"Spend time with Aether of course. It's presumptuous but he's the kind of guy I could see myself settling down with."

"Sounds serious," said Lyudochka. "Should I give him 'the talk?'"

"Please don't," she replied. "I'm glad I got to see you."

"Me too."

The sisters talked on and on into the day, catching up on every second they'd lost together.

Lyudochka's absence from her desk would have been a problem. Thankfully, the lady Guji herself took the shift.

Yae Miko casted a wan smile. She hoped Aether knew all the good he'd done for Teyvat. He'd given two lost souls new life. Wherever he went, she did not doubt that he'd leave a trail of healed souls.