Chapter Text
It has rained recently.
The scents of damp earth and satiated verdure sink into the air as though it has always belonged there—soaked into the winds of time and forever destined to arrive once more after departure. The humidity has receded for something cooler now that the rain clouds have spilled their tears, the heat of accumulated emotions being released into the open where it isn’t caged and burning the world from within. Life is reborn, and thirst is quenched; with the thunderous rains come blooms more beautiful than the last.
The bark of the tree he rests within is still damp, moisture seeping into his clothing where he presses in with his weight; eyes closed and feeling the cool sensation sticking upon his skin all the more.
Birds have long shed the droplets from their feathers and the outer layer of leaves are already smiling at the burning star, completely dry. Yet, the dirt is still saturated and grass still dewy, the thick canopy having cast its shadows to preserve from the blazing sun the vulnerable sentiments bestowed for just a little while longer.
Even so, as nature is quietly disturbed, the very last raindrop clinging desperately onto the most hidden of leaves within the boughs loses its battle, free falling to land upon his wide brimmed hat with a hollow plop.
The gentle and sorrowful sound awakens him, eyes barely coming to open to the peaceful world obscured by his hat angled over his face.
Careful footsteps making their way over protruding roots reach his ears.
“Wanderer?” A whisper is said into the weaving breeze, no louder than the distant stream rippling. Only another brief moment passes where the winds carry the aroma of happy flowers that have drunk their fill before a name, not an alias, is murmured towards the breeze-rustled canopy. “▇▇▇?”
Wanderer takes his hat in hand, lifting it from his face lazily and turning his head. Within his hazy sights as he blinks the mimicked sleep away, he spies a fleeting wisp of white through the dense foliage, wavering and disappearing like a ghost slipping into the overlap of dimensions before returning home.
The flashes of pearly purple and that of muted amethyst that follow closely behind breaks the ethereal spell swiftly.
How loose-lipped of her. That is two more people who know his name.
Usually, the name she had given him is only uttered when it is just the two of them around. Perhaps he’s foolish to think it special somehow.
And if he stays quiet, maybe she’ll pass him by.
But he won’t. “Seems like I need to find yet another hiding spot from you.”
The squish of shallow puddles hidden beneath the grass roots comes to a momentary pause before the feet that press into the earth draw closer, turning in his direction acutely. And soon, a head of hair the color of the stars’ gilded threads peeks around the thick tree trunks holding the world together.
“There you are.” Her eyes light up like she’s pleased to see him – a soft gold that is protected underneath the moon’s shielding silver.
Wanderer shifts to sit properly on the branch, legs dangling off and hat replaced upon his head. His gaze lingers on Lumine’s face, taking in the tender expression with ripples of excitement pricking the edges, before he slides his hardened stare onto the two people who have accompanied her.
Two strangers he has never seen before.
A girl and a boy; both around Lumine’s own height.
They carry themselves with the stiffness seen in the most loyal of servants towards revered and respected royalty, an unnaturally calm poise never speaking out of turn yet equipped with a lingering thread of danger beneath the façade.
His instincts warn him against them, muttering into his ears of their superficiality. Something non-human. Something artificial and merely waiting to be unlocked. Unleashed.
The two follow Lumine closely, but far enough not to be breathing down her neck, their measured footsteps too much like a coded sequence activating without any stutters and repeating the cycle flawlessly.
Lumine stops beneath the tree he still rests in, beaming a smile upwards from the ground. “I thought you might be around here.”
Wanderer harrumphs beneath his breath. “What gave that away?”
Not that he ever makes it too hard on her with her kind of skill level, no matter how any Akademiya juniors might complain left and right.
He feels the two weirdos eye him up and down, studying every facet about him as though they’re studying their enemy and keeping him closer than their friends with their claws already embedded into his back. Unnatural. Calculating. Learning. Lips still pressed together calmly as though nothing at all is wrong while flaying the world open bloody.
“Hmm…” Lumine hums prettily, searching for the right words to answer his query. “The song on the wind is soothing the animals around here the most.”
He raises an eyebrow, mentally rubbing away the uncomfortable itch tingling onto his skin. He will not show them how their continued indifference irks him. “I’m not doing anything.”
Lumine giggles, a hand being lifted to cover her lips. “I know.”
Wanderer interrupts her lighthearted conversation abruptly. He lifts his chin to gesture to the two newbies. “Who are they?”
Like recognizes like. And if he’s any example, it usually doesn’t bode so well.
“I wanted to introduce you to them, actually.” She replies readily, unbothered by his pinched tone. “That’s why I came looking for you.”
Lumine turns her shoulder towards them, opening the conversation for them to enter freely.
As though on cue and perfectly in sync, the two place a hand upon their chests and bows minutely at the waist towards him. The girl’s high pigtails, hair the color of lilac flowers, swings gently back and forth while the boy’s black beanie keeps his more gray-hued hair in place.
“This is the friend I was telling you about. Say hi.”
“Permissions updated. Yes, Master. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” The two say simultaneously akin to creepy twins in horror films. Their eyes even illuminate briefly with pale blue light, contrasting against the color of their irises – pink for the girl, and purple for the boy.
“What?” Wanderer spits out in confusion.
Lumine waves her hand alongside a dismissing chuckle. “Don’t worry about that. This,” She places her hand on the black fabric of the girl’s dress covering her shoulder, the pearly purple shade decorating the front of the skirt vividly standing out. “Is Manekina, and this is Manekin.” Lumine’s delicate fingers nearly graze over the piercings in the boy’s ears as they press into black jacket he has over his muted amethyst shirt. “They were given to me to take care of.”
The two stand back up straighter when her touch seems to permit them to.
“Given to you?” Wander scoffs incredulously, his lips curling as though he has eaten something distasteful. “Like slaves? Is that why their names are less than human? I didn’t think you were like that.”
“Of course not!” Lumine defends loudly, her brows dipping angrily and eyes glaring up at him. “Their free will, self-awareness, consciousness, sentience, sapience, and all that waver rather drastically each day. I figured if I took them to experience the world with me, they might grow into themselves. This is the first time they’ve come out of Miliastra Wonderland, be nice, will you?”
Wanderer contemplates her words for a while, meeting her furrowed pout with a less than amused look of his own. Settling on his answer, he pushes off the branch and commands anemo to give him a lighter landing mere inches in front of her. Their shoes nearly bump into each other. “So, you know they’re not human.”
Lumine loses her frustrations with him for momentary surprise. “Huh? Oh. Mhm, that’s right.” She flicks her eyes to the two waiting mannequins at her side before returning them to his piercing gaze. “They’re terminals scavenged from the dark ruins of a collapsed world. A construct meant to navigate material reality for dreamers who wish to only live in the supreme bliss of a lucid dream.”
He crosses his arms loosely. “Then why do you have them? Thinking of running through another 168 dream loop cycles?”
She snorts, batting at his shoulder in jest. “Absolutely not. Their original possessor has left Teyvat, and I was tasked to drive a new story forward. The lucid dream world was born anew for the whole collection of eclectic experiences that make up its data to settle down here in Teyvat now. It’s up to me to make sure everyone and everything feels right at home. Well, at least, now that the world and these two were passed on to me, that’s what I hope to do.”
“Always the goody two-shoes.” Wanderer sighs, shaking his head. “Then what are you going to use them for? Doesn’t seem like they’ll operate without command.”
Don’t leave them alone.
“They do sometimes.” Lumine turns to look at them. Manekina meets her gaze, a quiet curiosity in her eyes as she tilts her head to match Lumine’s motion. Manekin, on the other hand, is about as impassive as an android staring into space. “Like I said, maybe they’ll gain more free thought as they grow into themselves. They haven’t been online for very long, after all. For now, I guess… they’re my dress-up dolls?”
Wanderer chokes on the air he doesn’t need to breathe. Inside his head, he scrambles for an excuse for the sounds he makes. “You dressed him like a troubled teen?”
Doll, huh.
“Hey!” Lumine protests. “Who knows where the memory of these outfits came from, though I could look, but amongst the collection, I thought these were super cute! They’re a matching set together too.”
“If they’re your super cute dolls, why don’t you give them a proper name then? Maybe it’ll speed up that sense of self you believe they have.”
His tone is pointed and sharp; perhaps even hoping to slice into her skin just the littlest bit to get the message across more clearly.
“It’s not that I haven’t thought about it, but maybe, in time, they might want to pick their own names.” Lumine explains more calmly to ease his tension. “Though, when that time comes and they still want me to do it, I will.”
Pressing his lips together thinly, his molars grind against each other as Wanderer stares at Lumine stubbornly. He clicks his tongue against the back of his front teeth and hisses a despondent inhale as he declares his stance on the situation more softly, his voice tipping over the edge of a lonely forlornness he typically doesn’t show anyone else. “Just… Don’t go abandoning them when you’re bored of playing.”
Using is better than neglect.
Is abuse better than abandonment? He doesn’t know. Neither outcome had ended favorably, in his experience.
A tool desperately wanting to be used for what it was made for, but was too defective. A blank slate that had learned to love only to be left loveless by those who taught it. Overcompensating the use it never got to experience until abuse and lack of love tore it apart.
Is it better to have never been created in the first place?
But Lumine always seems to understand the things he both says and doesn’t say. As annoying as it is, he appreciates it.
She gives him a reassuring grin and firm nod. “Of course. I promise.”
Staring into her sincere golden irises, Wanderer gets lost in them as though he’s watching a shower of stars race across the universe; mesmerizing all who dare to observe their dance and beckoning them into joining the journey. Lost souls, souls with a place of their own, ones who wish, and those who lie and say they covet nothing—everyone and everything chases after the glimmers of light, yearning for just a fleeting touch; just another glance at their beauty.
Absently, he thinks that she has never asked him to be her dress-up doll before.
Not that he would.
“Excuse the interruption, Master.” Manekin voices suddenly, tearing Lumine’s unwavering attention from him and taking away the stars. “Master Paimon is calling out your name at the edge of the forest.”
“Ah—I see. She must’ve successfully begged Collei for a Pita Pocket.” Lumine giggles. “Would you mind fetching her? I…” Her eyes flick back to him.
Wanderer raises a brow at the gesture.
“Of course.” Manekin agrees promptly, his tone soothing yet lacking even the average level of human emotion that may waver its song. “Master Paimon had promised to share her spoils to give us a taste of Forest Ranger hospitality, so do take your time, Master. I do believe our initial goal of finding your friend to match a name to a face has been accomplished, after all. Come along, Manekina, let us not keep Master Paimon waiting.”
“We shall escort Master Paimon to Sumeru City to meet up once more after we have finished partaking.” Manekina adds as she follows her fellow terminal construct. “Do not worry, Master Lumine.”
“Oh—uh, okay? Sure, we’ll meet back up in the city then.” Lumine scrambles to catch her thoughts back up to the retreating duo. “Make sure to ask Tighnari or Collei for directions!”
“Yes, Master.” Dual voices ring out, the sound already distant and being captured by the leaves, trilling notes being added to the wind’s melody swirling through.
Wanderer watches their backs disappear into the shadows cast by the canopies, the same ones that keep the puddles at their feet from evaporating in the intensity of the sun’s stare.
They seem to have plenty of free-will to him; albeit, like Lumine said, it seems to waver. “Is it wise to let them go off alone like that? There are Rishboland Tigers nearby.”
“They can fight pretty darn well, don’t worry.” Lumine smiles. “Thanks for your concern for them though.”
He sniffs. “Who said?”
“Well, you, no?”
Wanderer rolls his eyes at her playfulness. “Anyways, did you need something? You looked at me like you wanted to drag me into something troublesome again.”
“I would never do such a thing.” Lumine replies, dramatically aghast.
He rolls his eyes at her again. At this rate, they might just get stuck looking at the back of his own head. “Then?”
“W-Well…” Losing her confidence now that she must face the truth, she stutters. “I just haven’t seen you in a while. How are you?”
Wanderer softens, his hard shell remaining intact but his mechanical insides metaphorically turning grossly mushy. “You interrupted my dozing to make small talk? You know I hate that type of stuff.”
“Ugh.” Lumine groans. She moves to poke at his shoulder with her pointer finger, the appendage pushing down his artificial skin like it would on a real human. “Never mind. Same old, cranky Wanderer as always. Excuse me for caring.”
He grabs the offending hand, wrapping his own around the wrist and tugging the limb closer. Lumine stumbles a step forward, her free hand catching herself against his abdomen before she is pulling it away with a panicked jerk and flushed cheeks.
Wanderer keeps her wrist captive, his head dipping close to hers as he gives her a satisfied smirk. “You’re excused. Nothing good comes out of caring for me.”
Lumine’s cheeks grow hotter, her breath just as warm as her whisper caresses across his jaw. “Beg to differ.”
“Then beg.” He murmurs softly, lips curling in amusement and eyes crinkling. “The illustrious Traveler on her knees, wouldn’t that be a sight to see?”
What does he think he’s doing?
She pokes her other finger into the middle of his chest, surely feeling neither the natural warmth of a human nor the beat of a heart thumping beneath. “I’ll prove you wrong.”
Wanderer exhales a breath he does not take, lowering her captured hand gently and letting go. The index finger on him retreats as well, taking away the earnest companionship with it. Should she really be getting so involved with him again? He already…
He shouldn’t, and that’s that—no matter how deeply he sinks his nails into his palms to keep them still.
“Don’t you have little charges under your wing to meet?”
Lumine hums contemplatively, a pretty sound more pleasing to his mechanical ears than the birdsongs. “It’s only been a few minutes, though knowing how fast Paimon can shovel food down her gullet, maybe you’re right.”
Wanderer scoffs a lighthearted chuckle.
The breeze comes through then, carrying with it joy and quiet affection as it slides under his hat and brushes against his forehead, moving his bangs aside as it does so to lay the kiss of the tender attention seeped into the winds upon his skin.
Lumine closes her eyes with a gentle smile on her lips as it passes by, her own soft golden strands of hair getting pushed to the side.
“Come on.” He says gently, imploring for her attention that he doesn’t always deserve. “I’ll walk you back to the city.”
“Okay!”
That smile she shoots him almost makes his steps stutter like a real heart would. With a subtle gesture, anemo keeps him from tripping over a tree root that doesn’t exist, Lumine falling into step with him by his side.
Wanderer reaches out, pinching the plush of her cheek. She makes a cute noise of protest. “What are you grinning for, hm?”
Lumine quickly loses the pout that purses her lips, returning the smile to her face. “That you’re keeping me company a little while longer, of course. The you even a year ago wouldn’t even dare have such a thought cross your mind.”
He turns away, hiding whatever may linger behind his eyes from her view. “Is that really something to be so happy about?”
“Well,” She trails off, peering towards the canopy herself. “I used to wonder if you really didn’t like me, you know? Which, probably would be warranted, but…”
Wanderer looks back at her and stays quiet, waiting patiently for the answer he trusts will come.
Lumine continues to stare at the flickering sunlight between the leaves as they walk, the canopy’s pattern moving across her face. “I just don’t think second chances should start with hate. If I could be your friend instead, I think both of our worlds would be a little brighter.”
“And would you say we’re friends now?”
She turns her head to him, that cheeky grin that he had pinched away back in place. “Confidently!”
Even if he waives her off flippantly – Lumine giggling all the while – there isn’t anything he can or would argue.
Their conversation from there on out is amicable, equal amounts of both nonsense and serious—one part poking fun and one part calm discussion. It’s a natural ebb and flow where they don’t need to fill the silence that falls between them once a topic comes to a close, a new, curious question eventually being voiced without fail.
Her footsteps match his, and his match hers. The squish of waterlogged grass beneath their shoes grows increasingly less as the puddles continuously dry with the passage of time. By the time Sumeru City is in sight and the looming trees become sparser, allowing the sun direct view of the earth, the ground is solid under their feet – barely any risk of slipping to be had.
Even the packed dirt path has lightened in color since he first tread over its practical form that morning.
“What are you going to Sumeru City for? Meeting someone else?” Wanderer asks, his hat protecting his eyes from the bright sun.
He doubts he will go blind even if he stares too long at it, dissimilar to how they might start to ache and sting the more he looks at Lumine’s too altruistic nature shining behind her form like a halo.
He’ll keep that to himself, however.
Even if he’s curious what shadows might chase after her light, he doesn’t wish for them to catch up to her. Not too consumingly, at least. After all, shadows are inevitable. But maybe it can be him—that dark shadow that quietly hunts to keep the light safe and balanced in perfect form, not to be overshadowed by any other.
She doesn’t ever have to know.
Why her?
No. Why him?
But it doesn’t matter. He’ll keep these disgustingly sweet and fluffy sentiments of his stored within his hollow chest to fill. He’s used to keeping things bottled up, anyways.
It’s not like he hates these feelings.
“If we’re lucky, we might run into Nahida and I can introduce her to my two new friends.”
Wanderer scoffs lightheartedly. “She’ll probably come find you first.”
Lumine giggles alongside his snickering. “Maybe! But just roaming around the city for a while would be good, I think. Maybe a Sumerian outfit might appear in their dreamworld and next time they visit, they can wear it. When in Rome, right?”
“Rome?”
“It’s a proverb from another world. When in Rome, do as Romans do! It means it’s best to follow the customs of the places you go to visit.”
“If they wear clothing like the rest of the people, wouldn’t that make you stand out like a sore thumb even more?”
Lumine laughs brightly, covering her wide smile with the back of her hand. He wishes she didn’t.
Love… Are the emotions that swirl inside his core strong enough to be called that?
Love—the thing that is both ruining him further than he already is while simultaneously keeping him whole.
“I’m used to it!” She continues to chuckle.
Their feet step onto a paved path, shoes clacking against the stone.
It’s almost time to part ways.
“Like the attention, huh?” Wanderer snorts. “Should’ve figured.”
She slaps at his shoulder again. So gently, it doesn’t even hurt, no matter how her nails snag on the fabric of his clothing. “On what basis?”
“Someone who always turns heads just by walking through a crowd; heroes are always so conceited.” Despite the mocking sneer curling the edges of his lips, it’s a quip.
And like always, Lumine sees through his mean streak, biting back just as compassionately. “Saying that from experience, Hero of Simulanka?”
The Adventurers’ Guild is right up ahead.
Wanderer slows his steps, not quite wishing to make it there just yet. Reluctant for their walk to end.
“Too much modesty is merely arrogance, you know. I’m not like you.”
“Right, right, you’re arrogant up front~”
He sniffs, turning his nose up and squaring his shoulders. “Maybe you should try it sometime.”
“Maybe.” She laughs as she sends a little wave to Katheryne when they pass by the counter. Lumine settles herself next to the wall just beside the Guild, leaning against it and preparing herself to wait for her companions. “Oh, you know,”
Her eyes light up as an idea comes to mind, a pleased grin spreading across her face. “Maybe I should bring them to Chiori when we make our stop in Fontaine. She keeps saying I should drop by to get an outfit commissioned from her, and I bet all three of them would have a lot of fun designing and modeling.”
Wanderer relaxes next to her, crossing his arms before his chest to lazily rest. “So, those two actually like dressing up?”
“Seems like it.” Lumine nods, expression still tickled pink. “They were meant to emulate whoever was controlling them, dressing the role is only half of the fun for them. Though, the best case scenario now would be for them to enjoy it just for themselves.”
“Yeah.” He sighs—relieved and longing. Those two terminal constructs, they’re in good hands.
“I wonder if I can meet with Little One when we touch down in Natlan…” Lumine suddenly considers out loud, not quite talking directly to him, but allowing him to comment if he wishes.
And he’s curious enough to do so. “Who’s Little One?”
Wanderer almost misses the flash of mischief streaking across her gaze, eyes illuminating with pride. “Did I never mention it? Little One’s my baby!”
If there was ever a time his system completely freezes and starts flashing electric blue with error texts filling up his vision, the time is now. Even under his hat, with the amount his eyes widen, the sun is too bright – burning his retinas like a forest fire never to be put out. His stomach clenches and he feels his face drain of any temperature mimicry.
She—
—When—
He never—
—With who???
Lumine’s barking chortle shatters the frosty spell, thawing him out in chunks of ice. She covers her mouth hastily and clutches her stomach with the other hand, bending over and nearly toppling to the ground with the vigorous amusement behind her laughter.
“I-Is t-that something you should laugh about?!” Wanderer snaps, tongue refusing to function and say the words aloud to solidify—his chest clenching where nothing but his core should be. “What—” He chokes on a cough. “—do you mean you don’t know if you can meet with your child?!”
Lumine falls into the wall as all her strength continues to be poured into her happy chuckling. The hand over her mouth leaves it, revealing a perfect set of teeth smiling brightly. She waves it at him, barely able to catch her breath. “The look on your face was so worth it!”
“Hah?! You—!” He dodges her hand that is about to clasp onto his shoulder. “Don’t touch me! Answer!”
She’s not… having a difficult time, is she? Especially with—whoever…
That worthless piece of—
Lumine takes a deep breath, clearing her throat and using the wall to stand up straight. She presses her hand into her cheek, as though to relieve the muscle of its aches despite the smile still spreading wide. “To think I would someday have the gall to tease you like this, the me of yesteryears would never believe it. Little One is grown up now, but I did start taking care of it when it was a baby. Sad story short, its mother died in front of me, and then the egg hatched.”
“Egg…” Wanderer parrots, breathless.
Something. Something is about to race out of his chest. It’s making him lightheaded and nauseous.
“Little One is a special little tepetlisaur.” Lumine’s grin turns gentler. “We journeyed through Natlan together, and then it set off to have its own self-discovery journey. Little One grew up pretty well, if I do say so myself.”
Pinching his brows between his fingers, he sharply inhales, hissing the breath through his teeth. “You…”
The last of the giggles leave her, Lumine putting her hands together in a blatantly flippant apology. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. You’re always the most fun to talk with, I couldn’t help myself.”
His fists clench; in contrast with his easing chest. “You—are such a troublesome woman.”
Wanderer can’t retort more, however; a loud voice calling out her name rips through even the chatter of the milling crowd.
“Luuumiiiineee!”
She turns to the call of her name. Wanderer, on the other hand, looks the complete opposite way.
“Lumine!” Paimon repeats, speeding her way towards the girl. Manekin and Manekina follow after her at a more sedate pace. “Huh? What’s wrong with him?”
“Don’t worry about it.” Lumine snickers. “You guys want to take a break first or are you ready to walk through Treasures Street?”
“We’re alright to keep going, Master.” Manekina begins.
Manekin finishes the thought. “Thank you for your concern.”
“Oh, here. Paimon saved this portion for you.” Paimon hands over a carefully wrapped Pita Pocket.
“Courtesy of Miss Collei.” Manekin informs.
“Hey! Paimon tried extra hard not to eat it, you know.” Paimon argues.
Lumine accepts the offered food with another chuckle escaping out of her. “I’m sure it was difficult for you, Paimon, so thank you. Collei’s cooking is really delicious, after all.”
“Exactly!”
The jesting sarcasm in Lumine’s tone completely flies over Paimon’s head, making Wanderer inwardly sigh.
“Did you two enjoy your meals?” Lumine asks next, eyes darting back and forth between the two non-human beings and the Pita Pocket in her hand as she pinches at the paper wrapping.
“Yes, the taste was quite lovely,” Manekin replies.
“But more satisfying than the flavor was the warmth that settled in our stomachs as we dined.” Manekina quirks a tiny grin. Manekin nods in agreement at that as well.
Wanderer turns to the group.
Like a bitter tea served again and again.
He understands—almost feels a sense of camaraderie.
He sincerely hopes their stories don’t continue down the same path as his, despite how similar it seems as events unfold in the same order.
Lumine tenderly grabbing his wrist to flip his hand over and placing one half of the Pita Pocket in it breaks him out of his thoughts. “Want to come with?”
“Hmph. No thanks. I’ve got a lecture to attend.” Despite his snippy words, still miffed at her joke, he accepts the food they both know he doesn’t need to eat. “Unlike the First Sage, I actually read books.”
“I bet I read more lost texts that I find in ruins than your entire darshan.” Lumine teases back. “Maybe I should be the star Vahumana student instead?”
Wanderer sniffs amusedly, turning to make his way to the Akademiya, Pita Pocket in hand. “I’d like to see you try.”
Slipping through the crowd, away from Lumine’s inquisitive yet knowing eyes that only makes him want to stay, he brings the food to his lips.
His first bite is warm.
If he had known fate would start laughing at him again so soon, trampling his wishes into another grotesque and bloody field of ruined blooms, he would have at least said goodbye.
And that—he loved talking with her the most, too.