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Aether looked up to the star filled sky of Teyvat. A beautiful sky, false as it was. Natlan had been just a bit too much. Don’t get the wrong idea, Aether likes helping people, but everything that has been going on was just tiring. Perhaps a day's respite would be all he needed, maybe longer, but he needed a break. Desperately. Paimon was trying to be encouraging, trying to keep him motivated, but that too, was getting annoying.
Paimon was droning on about something, Aether wasn’t entirely sure about what, and he felt a headache coming on,
“Paimon.” His voice came out strained and irked. Paimon stopped talking, if only for a moment, before responding.
“Is something wrong, traveler?” Paimon’s high pitched voice came out in concern. She had only heard Aether’s voice like this once before, and it didn’t end up well.
“Please…” Aether made an effort not to sound rude, “...stop talking. I’m tired, I need rest.” His voice came out much less strained and far more gentle than before.
“Do…you need a break?” Paimon’s normally enthusiastic voice had simmered down, the floating pixie was perceptive-if you could call this perceptive-when it counted, only sometimes.
“Yes.” Aether let his head fall down on the grass. Stretching his extremities until he felt content. “Natlan, while short, has been oh so tiring. I-I...” a sad sigh exhales from his mouth, “all of those people, all those who died before the (*1)ode of resurrection was re-established…” Aether’s voice sounded broke and for once, Paimon stayed silent. Nothing more needed to be said. They both laid down and fell asleep. And for Aether, it was a dreamless and pleasant rest.
In the morning Paimon told Aether she would stay with Mualani, who had agreed to watch over her-Aether had no idea how they got in contact-so Aether could go somewhere to relax. Aether at first didn’t know where he wanted to go, and he thought back upon all of the nations he has been to so far, weighing the pros and cons of going to one or the other, and then stopped. He was supposed to rest and relax. All of the nations he has been to lately have been hectic to say the least. The only place he could think of to go was where his journey started, to a good friend he treasured dearly. Monstadt was like a home away from home to Aether, being the nation he first arrived in. One of the only people he has ever been able to truly relax and have fun with, in this world and others, is a cheery red clothed outrider.
“Amber…how I miss your company.” Aether had many friends, but Amber had always wanted to help him with all her heart, no matter the issue. He, in fact, still receives letters from her to this day regarding his sister's whereabouts. No one else has ever tried or wanted to help him this much, he felt he could trust her, that she cared for him. Truly someone he would be happy to spend some time with. Someone he would be delighted to spend this break with.
Foregoing the need to pull up his map, he knew Monstadt inside and out, he thought of teleporting to the waypoint just outside of the city. He felt himself become lighter, and disappear, reappearing at said waypoint in Monstadt. The weather was as lovely as ever, a gentle breeze bringing refreshment to his weary body. The sun was out, it was pleasantly warm, enhanced by the breeze. The grass rustled beneath his feet. Monstadt. As lovely as ever. Aether made the short walk across the bridge into the city, making his way towards Good Hunter. This time of day Amber wouldn’t be there, it was still early, but he needed something to fill up his stomach, he could practically hear it rumbling.
“Ah! Traveler, long time no see!” Came Sara’s lively voice, some locals had taken up seating at the Good Hunter but it was still fairly empty. Aether nodded his head,
“I would like the Cold Cut Platter please.” Sara nodded her head in acknowledgement,
“Your order will be here within a few minutes, please take a seat.” Aether did as instructed and sat down at one of the empty tables. The quiet chatter of nearby residents and patrons of The Good Hunter helped eased his mind, as odd as that might sound. At the moment Aether prefers quiet noise over the booming noise he had to endure in Natlan, not to mention the loud voices of Faontaine’s opera house when he was still there. He sat. He sat and enjoyed the background noise of a busy day. Monstadt truly was a peaceful place to live, if something did not go to plan-regarding his sister of course-he would love to live in Monstadt.
“Here is your meal.” Sara came out of the building holding the platter, setting it down on the table,
“Could I have some water?” Aether asked before Sara could walk away,
“Of course.” Sara walked back into the building. Aether picked up a fork and dug into his meal, still cool thanks to the mist flowers. Sara came out with a glass of water and set it down on the table,
‘Thank you Sara.“ Aether picked up the cool glass and took a long swig, taking the glass away from his lips with a content sigh.
“Of course, enjoy your meal.” Sara walked back to her place behind the counter, awaiting another customer. She didn’t have to wait long.
Aether slowed down his pace, he wanted to at least enjoy the flavors of the meat. The meal was pleasant, but not much was happening. And that is just how Aether wanted it to be. Of course, all good things must come to an end. A plate was set down on the table, Aether could recognize that dish anywhere, and the voice that accompanied it was even more recognizable.
“Hey Aether!” Amber’s cheery voice rang out next to his ear, she sat down to the left of him. Her personality, cheerfulness, hadn't dimmed in the slightest since Aether had left. “What brings you back here? No luck finding your sister?” Amber asked solemnly, with a quick change in tone.
“In part because I have had no luck finding my sister.” Aether ate a slice of Wolvendom boar meat before washing it down with water. “I’m just tired. I need a break. Or a calming day or two.” Aether went back to eating his food. Amber seemed pretty let down by his mood,
“Well, I’ll just have to make you cheer up!” Amber devoured her sticky honey roast with a voracious appetite, finishing just after Aether at his leisurely pace. Sara comes over to take their plates and payment, which Amber insisted that she pay in full, to which Aether agreed after some time. Meaning he gave up on arguing.
“I have somewhere I want to show you.” Amber pulled him out of the chair and dragged him all the way outside of Monstadt.
“Where are we going?” Aether rubbed his wrist.
“Sorry, well we are going to have a relaxing day in the wilds.” Amber offered a cheerful smile. Aether returned the smile, albeit to a lesser capacity. “Before going to a special place.”
“Where do we start?”
“A calming walk in the woods to start.” Amber grabbed his wrist lightly this time, and tugged on his arm, “come on.” That infectious smile of hers seemed permanent. Aether’s feet finally started to move, and he caught up enough to start walking side by side with her. Her hand slipped down from his wrist into his hand, gripping it comfortingly. To that, Aether offered a warm smile, small as it still was.
“What about your work?” Aether asked, they were slowly approaching the woods southeast of Monstadt.
“Don’t worry about that.” Amber’s grip on his hand tightened, “we’re worrying about you at the moment.” Aether shook his head, Amber really was too nice, someone might take advantage of that one day.
The woods came upon them sooner than Aether had expected, but it was a pleasant surprise. He had forgotten the soft glow that emanates from these woods. The calmness that envelopes you when you get lost in its depths.
“I forgot this feeling…” Aether breathed in the air. Exhaling in content. He can’t quite remember the last time he felt something akin to this sensation.
“Beautiful and calming.” Amber commented in a quiet tone. Aether looked over at Amber,
“Indeed.” She looked at him as well and nodded her head,
“Yea.” It seemed even this forest could calm down the ever excited outrider. They walked most of the path in silence, simply enjoying each other's presence. For Aether especially, this short jaunt in the woods did wonders for his mental state. They came upon the very first statue of the seven Aether had seen in this world. On a small island, surrounded by water, in the middle of a clearing. They sat down on a nearby log and engaged in some small talk.
“How have you been recently?” Aether adjusted himself on the log before settling down completely.
“Everything has been fine on my end. Jean actually got a long break recently, which is nice.” Amber yawned, apparently that forest also had a tiring effect other than just being calming, “How about you?” Amber retracted her hand from his ever so slightly before putting both of her hands in her lap.
“Natlan has been hectic, to say the least.” Aether shook his head, “If i’m being honest, I’ve felt tired since Inazuma, and it has only gotten worse as time goes on.” Aether extended his legs and stretched, throwing his arms behind his head. “I need a break, and spending time with you makes me happy. So I hope you’ll keep me company.”
“Uh…” Amber laughed nervously, her face flushed in embarrassment, “I would be glad to keep your company. I’m glad you enjoy it so much.” A chilling breeze came through, Amber shivered,
“Colder than Natlan.” Aether remarked, seemingly unaffected by the cold. Amber continued to shiver under the influence of the cold breeze, to which Aether pulls a blanket out of thin air, akin to how he materializes his sword, and wraps it around her shoulders.
“T-thanks.” Amber stuttered out, the wind really had picked up.
“Barbatos, you better stop this nonsense of yours.” Aether whispered under his breath,
“Huh? What was that?” Amber asked, looking over at the golden haired boy.
“Talking to myself” Came a smooth response from Aether. The wind started dying down back to the calm breeze it had been before.
“The wind died down quickly.” Amber let the blanket fall down slightly, keeping it close at hand should she need it again. She adjusted the blanket a little more before turning her head over to Aether, “do you want to talk about what ails you?”
“...As you know, I have been trying to find my sister.” Aether rests his elbows on his knees, leaning forwards slightly, “and in every nation I’ve been to, I have been involved in some plot to save said nation.” His head falls down, “and every time I help them, all I ask is for a little help to find my sister.” He takes a shaky breath.
“Take a breather.” Amber pats his back, “talk when you are ready.” She continued to pat his back lightly, switching between pats and rubbing circles, his breathing calming down to a gentle tone.
“And I get that sending people out to look for her might be too much, and I know I do ask for only a poster to be put up usually.” His voice got shaky again. Amber was quick to hold his hand, she hadn’t ever comforted anyone before, but she thought this was the right thing to do. His breathing again returned to normal. “No one ever asks how I feel, no one cares for me.”
“I care for you!” Amber exclaimed, throwing her arms behind his back in a big hug. “Plenty of people care for you.” Aether was shocked at the sudden physical contact. His arms came up halfway as if unsure how to give a proper hug. They slowly encircled Amber's back, and he returned the hug with all the force he could muster in his arms. He might have seen plenty in his years of traveling between worlds, but his mind was still as susceptible as anyone else’s to pain and sorrow. A tear threatened to fall.
“I’m here for you, I care, you can tell me anything. I’ll always help you. Please, don’t be sad.” Amber hugged back even tighter, “please, I can’t bear to see you like this” Amber had tears of her own ready to fall. Aether really was a good friend to her, and she cared deeply for him. It would break her heart to see him cry.
“I’m just tired of everything. Fighting people, saving people,trying not to die to gods…”
“What!?” Amber screamed out a bit too loudly, causing Aether to wince. “You’re fighting gods?!” Amber sounded terrified. “Are you sure you’re okay?” She held him at arm's length looking him over.
“......For the most par-”
“What do you mean for the most part?!” Amber really wasn’t letting that fact go.
“W-well…you don’t want to see. You really don’t.” Aether didn’t sound comfortable on the subjects of gods.
“O-oh…why?” She asked in a small voice very uncharacteristic of her.
“You know of the Electro Archon, Raiden Shogun, yes?” Aether shifted uncomfortably.
“...Yes?” Amber did not like where this was going.
"Are you sure you want to see?" Aether asked for further confirmation, Amber nodded slowly. Aether stood up, a tad bit shaky, and made to take his ‘shirt’ off. Amber remained silent, watching him with concern. The black, gold inlaid ‘shirt’ came off and Aether turned around. Amber gasped, absolutely horrified at the sight of his back. From his neck to where his shirt ends is a massive (*2)Lichtenberg Figure. Five main lines, each starting at the bottom of his neck, branched off into hundreds of smaller lines. It covered his upper back completely.
“...I got this from fighting Raiden.” Aether turned back around to see Amber’s reaction, a few tears had fallen from her eyes.
“It…it doesn’t hurt does it?” Her voice was laced with the utmost concern.
“Not anymore.” Aether put his shirt back on, sitting back down.
“Y-you can’t go around fighting gods, Aether!” Amber’s mind was going haywire trying to wrap itself around the idea that Aether was still alive.
“That’s it, I’ve decided.” she stood in front of him, “you are going to stay here in Monstadt until I say you can leave. So don’t even try to escape, got it?” Her voice had a competitive tone to it, daring him to defy her order. He nodded his head simply,
“Of course.” He acquiesced.
“I’ll shower you with all the care and attention you deserve.” Amber’s voice finally started to sound like normal again, cheery and optimistic.