Sometimes life changes for no reason. The interesting thing is whether these changes are good or bad.
Does waking up in an unknown world with many people who develop a crush on you count as a nice thing?
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Before you have properly registered the presence of the third person, Aether already has drawn out his sword.
The orange-haired visitor symbolically puts up his hands. “What’s up with the hostility? I thought we were friends.”
How long has it been since you have run into an Harbinger? A bit more than a week? Honestly, what is wrong with your luck? Despite the discomfort you feel from seeing your old acquaintance Childe, your facial expression remains neutral. “I mean, yeah, we were getting along well – until you drugged me and tried to ship me straight to Snezhnaya. And as for Aether – I think almost causing the destruction of Liyue didn’t leave a good impression either.”
“C’mon, let bygones be bygones. Besides, I am only here for a vacation, so no Fatui-activities whatsoever.”
Aether’s sword remains in its position, pointing at the tall man in front of him. “Even if you aren’t here for business, I doubt that you are any less tempted to pull some shít on others.”
“I see that someone has grown quite paranoid over the last couple months we haven’t seen each other.”
“I see that someone hasn’t changed one bit for the better in the same period of time either.” If looks could kill, Tartaglia would have dropped dead in an instant. To be fair, you can’t blame Aether for it.
“Maybe we should-“
You step in before any of them can come up with the idea of a fight. “Childe, get to the point. I assume you approached us for a reason?”
“Not really. I simply saw two familiar faces I haven’t seen for a while and wanted to say ‘hello’. Is there anything wrong with that?”
“Childe-“
“I mean, I always hear stories about you two. You became quite infamous among the Fatui. Aether for his strength, persistence and heroic-deeds and (Y/N) for… how should I put it - having bad luck with the Harbingers. Dottore alone is reason enough for me to want to check up on you. Most people who run into that psychopath either loose their mind or their life… Both me and Teucer would have been heartbroken if either of those were the case for you. Happy to see that you are alive and kicking.” It isn’t exactly easy to tell what is going on behind that unchanging smile of his, but it seems Childe is sincere about what he said.
Sensing the same thing, Aether finally puts down his sword. His tense posture on the other hand doesn’t go away. “Even so, you will have to understand that we want you to leave. You are one of the Harbinger he had bad experience with, so we would prefer to spend the evening without you.”
“I get it, I get it. I am not welcome here so don’t worry, I will leave. In the end, I got what I wanted. I know now that you two are healthy and that’s enough. But before I go…” Chide fumbles around with something attached to his hip. “(Y/N), catch!”
You can barely react before a blue and silver object is thrown at you. This is Childe’s Vision. “Why…”
“Keep an eye on it for me, okay? Only for a while, of course. I trust you not to loose it until then.” He smirks. “See ya next time, friend. Hopefully, under friendlier circumstances.” During the last part, Childe’s eyes wander towards Aether, yet he doesn’t let anyone comment on his words and simply leaves.
Intrigued, you observe the Vision given to you. This is the second time you ever got a hold on a Vision. The first one was the Vision of Kazuha's deceased friend. Since Kazuha was so insistent on you learning how to permanently rekindle it, you never grew to like the dead Electro Vision. This Vision is different from the previous one though. It still has the characteristic aqua-blue color every Hydro Vision has, but since it is separated from its rightful owner, it is duller than usually. Much like the Harbinger’s eyes. Still, it holds some sort of life in it which makes it mesmerizing to you. Suddenly, another hand touches the valuable object in your hand to snatch it away if it weren’t for you firmly holding onto it. “Hey! I am supposed to watch over it!”
Aether’s hold on the metallic edge remains. “(Y/N), you are not going to keep a Vision from someone like him. Who knows what might happen if we keep it around.”
You shake your head in response. “Aether, this is a Vision, not a bomb. Neither is simply throwing it away a great idea. Haven’t we learned from Inazuma what happens to a person when they loose their Vision for good? Tartaglia is a questionable person, yes, but even he doesn’t deserve that.”
“I personally believe he does.”
“Please pack away your bias and take out your human decency. I know that you still have some left.”
Aether lets out a deep sigh. “You know that I am only worried about your well-being… But alright, you can have the Vision. Just promise me that you will keep it in your bag while we are in public. Otherwise, I could imagine that the Hydro Archon will accuse you of theft or whatever.”
“Yeah, that doesn’t sound all too farfetched-”
“Whyyy….” A defeated whine from Paimon interrupts you. Both she and Rosa finally come back from their trip to the shore. In contrast to Paimon, Rosa is radiating pure happiness.
“Poor Paimon, what’s wrong?”, you ask.
“Rosa’s crab completely crushed Paimon’s… It was hardly even a fight…”
The Traveler walks over to the fairy and gives her a piece of fruit candy as a consolation prize. “Were you actually immersed in that crab fight till now? Haven’t you noticed that we got uninvited guests in the meantime?”
“Guests? Which guests?” Taking a small bite of the candy, Paimon’s gloom vanishes.
“Childe. According to him, he is only here for a vacation, but who knows... Regardless, the presence of one Harbinger won’t ruin our good vacation mood!” Putting up your left fist high in the air, you boost your own positivity and confidence.
Your pink Seelie sits down on your head and cheers together with you.
“It is only one Harbinger, right…?”
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Well, that was a shítty week.
I hope yours was better and that you enjoyed reading!
