Kachina studied the odd token that Aether gave her the other day. It was a wooden rectangle with a teapot engraved on its center and dark blue tassels. He told her it would let her visit his home whenever she liked. Interesting little thing but she had no idea how it worked. No buttons or levers anywhere.

In the quiet of her room, she pondered. Why did he think she deserved one of these? Honestly, she still didn't know. Still, he invited her so she might as well go.

Kachina closed her eyes. The warmth of her room vanished as a gentle breeze rolled over her. Her eyes burst open. Her little room had disappeared, and now she stood atop a floating island with buildings all around. She wheeled around, her jaw hanging slack.

"Hello," said a soft voice behind her. "You must be Kachina. Aether's sent me postcards about you."

She wheeled around. A giant, blue-faced finch in Liyue robes floated in a teapot. Kachina staggered back in shock.

"Please, do not be alarmed. I am Tubby. I am an Adeptus who maintains the Realm Within. I mean you no harm."

She couldn't sense any hostility. Kachina relaxed a bit.

Tubby gave her a shpiel about the Realm Within. It was Aether's home located within a sort of pocket dimension. His many friends often visited with gifts or toys. Sometimes, they'd share meals, work on Congressional legislation, or manage the little things around the Realm.

As Tubby finished the shpiel, the mansion doors flew open. Several people—all women Kachina noticed—emerged. One in the lead, a violet-haired young woman with pigtails, greeted her.

"You must be Kachina," she said. "I am Keqing, the Yuheng of Liyue. Aether wrote about you."

"Oh um… hi." Kachina wasn't sure if she ought to bow or not. How did one behave before a Yunheng typically? She had no clue.

"My, my," said a lilting voice. "She's even cuter in person."

An elegant lady with long pink hair smiled in an amused way. Her eyes seemed warm, but Kachina saw Tubby shoot a quick glare at this lady. She got the sense this lady was more than she seemed.

Kachina cleared her throat. "My name is Kachina. I'm a Children of Echoes. It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," said the pink-haired lady. "Come inside. We were about to have lunch."

Inside, the mansion had rows of tables with plates of all sorts of mouthwatering foods set out. There were noodles, sticky honey roast, roasted lavender melons, and more treats than she'd ever seen.

The woman named Yae Miko insisted Kachina sit beside her. As they all dug in, the ladies went around introducing themselves. There were so many she couldn't keep them all straight. They all seemed so sweet, asking her questions about herself, about Natlan, and especially about Aether.

She answered as best she could.

A gorgeous woman with tan skin, long brown hair, and vivid blue eyes said, "Hey, Aether says you're a warrior. After we eat, you want to spar?"

"Hold on a moment," said a Fontaine woman with a large chest. "I've yet to request my duel. As a duelist, I have plenty of experience. I could offer you advice should you wish to improve."

"If she wishes to improve her technique, my instruction will prove the most useful," said a kimono-clad woman with long violet hair. "My experience is vast compared to yours." She spoke not with arrogance but as if it were simply a fact. The others offered no protest. The kimono-clad woman glanced at her. "Hello. My name is Ei. I'm the Electro Archon of Inazuma."

Kachina jumped off her chair and bowed. Ei waved her hands dismissively.

"Please, there's no need for that."

After much coaxing, they convinced Kachina to relax somewhat.

The people present proved to be a who's-who of Teyvat's greatest: former Hydro Archon Furina, Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, Captain of the Crux Fleet, the Tianqian, and even a Fatui Harbinger. It boggled her mind seeing all Aether's friends were such bigshots. No wonder Pacal told her Aether was the best teacher she could have.

When they finished eating, the girls gave her a personal tour guide around the Realm. Aether had collected so many wonders during his travels: Windmills of Mondstadt, ponds full of mechanical fish and manta rays, Inazuma-style shrines with bathhouses, and more things than she ever knew existed.

When the time came for her to return home, they handed her two whole bags of gifts. One bag had letters for Aether, along with other little trinkets and tools. The other bag had gifts just for her: an expertly forged polearm, a cookbook, a scarf, and more things than she could possibly use in a lifetime. The girls wouldn't let her refuse.

"Thank you so much for being so nice to me," said Kachina. "I'm sorry I came without being invited."

"If Aether gave you a Dispatch, that means you were invited," said Hu Tao. "We're glad to have you. Just take care of Aether for us, won't you?"

Kachina lay her hand over her chest. "I promise to keep him safe! I'm not very strong, but I'll protect him. Then maybe, if it's not too much trouble, we could…all have lunch together?"

"It would be our pleasure," said Yae Miko. "Till then, little one."

With a beaming grin, Kachina departed the Teapot.

UHA Proposed Amendment

We want to adopt Kachina. She's cute, she's sweet, and she must be protected.

In the event adoption is not an option, we'd like to approach her parents to discuss the possibility of becoming her godparents. Moreover, we will dote on her every single day without fail. To that end, every member of the UHA will be legally obligated to give her head pats.

The Amendment: Protect the Child! was introduced to the UHA Congress. It passed in both houses thirty minutes later.