Archive of Our Own

The first time Ayaka was introduced to the one everyone whispered as “The Traveler”, her screen separated them. Ayaka heard but a few brief words from the woman, her companion Paimon having done most of the talking during their meeting. When they were finished and Thoma had escorted the traveler off of Kamisato estate, Ayaka had rushed to the entrance, hoping to catch a glance.

Whether cruel fate or her own shortcomings, she spotted no figure disappear into the forest. Thoma had later explained to her that the Traveler was in a hurry, irked and restless to get her three tasks completed: wanting nothing more than an audience with the Raiden Shogun. Ayaka had then sighed internally, brought a fan up to her lips to hide her growing frown, and set off to catch up on paperwork.

But now, Ayaka finally lays eyes on the Traveler. She did not match Ayaka’s expectations: having imagined a battlehard woman of tall stature and worn features. Instead, she sees a young woman looking no older than she, short and lithe and somewhat socially awkward - if the shifting of feet and averted eyes tell her anything.

Paimon does most of the talking again, and the Kamisato heir tries not to focus too much on the woman beside her floating companion as she answers Paimon’s questions. When their conversation finishes, Ayaka invites them to stay for tea.

“Will there be food?” the floating girl asks.

“Thank you for your generosity, but we have other things to do.” the Traveler declines. 

Paimon shoots her a strange look, but is instantly discouraged by a quick glance from the blonde.

“Of course.” Ayaka quells her disappointment. It’s rare for someone to decline a private invitation from the Shirasagi Himegimi, and Ayaka was looking forward to conversing with the woman about her travels. “I hope in the future you’ll stay and rest your feet. We’ll have food and drink waiting for you then.”

The Traveler nods once and makes a move to turn. Before she’s able, Ayaka surprises herself. 

“May I know your name?” Ayaka blurts, her words uncharacteristically rushed.

The blonde turns halfway and offers a polite smile. “Lumine.”

A hand is outstretched to her and Ayaka takes the digits. Her fingers are warm and grasp tight. They shake hands, and Ayaka can’t help but wonder when the next time she’ll see Lumine will be.

---

The next time Ayaka sees Lumine is along the northern cliffs of Mount Yougou. The young woman is scavenging through a hilichurl camp, opening crates and rummaging through radishes and carrots, pocketing those worth eating in her satchel. Paimon hovers near a dead mitachurl, tossing broken tokens into a small pouch.

Lumine looks up at Ayaka’s approaching footsteps, and smiles with reservation. “Shirasagi Himegimi,”

“Traveler,” Ayaka bows her head and treads closer. “Are you alright? A camp is hard to infiltrate single-handedly.”

Lumine glances at Paimon and the two share a knowing look that Ayaka isn’t privy to understanding. The blonde turns back to her, swaying her torso and arms side-to-side to show Ayaka that she wasn’t hit. The action makes her dress and scarf coattails flutter with the motions.

“We’re okay, thanks.”

Ayaka nods once, feeling slightly out of her comfort zone as Lumine resumes her scavenging. As daughter of the Kamisato Clan and future leader of the Yashiro Commission, she’s always been pampered for success: whether it be by the tutors her brother hires, the maid staff, or the chosen nobles she keeps in her company. She’s used to carefully selected words and rapt attention, of being constantly treated like the eldest daughter to an old and rich clan.

But here, as Lumine walks amongst dead monsters and pays her no extra mind, Kamisato Ayaka feels like, well, Ayaka - just... Ayaka. It’s a strange and different feeling, but it’s not an unwelcome one. A sweet tune floats in the air, and Ayaka listens, enraptured as Lumine hums to herself.

“Did you hear that song during your travels?” Ayaka asks once Lumine quiets.

“In Mondstadt. There’s a special bard there who knows every song in it’s history.”

Ayaka pictures the oak trees and grasslands that she’s only ever seen in pictures and paintings. Would the wind be cooler there? The water crisper? So many questions bubble to the surface of Ayaka’s carefully mastered persona, and for a moment, she wonders what Lumine may say were she to ask.

She flicks open her fan and hides behind it for a moment to gather her composure. Kamisato Ayaka has never just blurted out random questions. Well, except when she asked for Lumine’s name. The young woman should be no different from the other travelers she’d met, regardless of her extensive knowledge.

“I’d like to hear this bard one day.” Ayaka finally comments.

Lumine smiles awkwardly - like there’s more she’d like to say - but stays silent and continues her scavenging. Paimon finishes her coin collecting and floats over to the two women.

“Miss Ayaka, have you ever been to Mondstadt?”

Ayaka shakes her head. “I haven’t. I was a young girl when the Raiden Shogun imposed the travel ban, and haven’t gone beyond our borders.”

Paimon nods quickly. “That’s too bad.” She holds her forefinger and thumb to her chin before shouting quickly, “You should join us once this whole Shogun business is over!”

“Paimon,” Lumine cuts in, eyes wide and alarmed. “She’s too important to Inazuma to leave on a whim.” the blonde turns to Ayaka, ”I’m sorry about that, Paimon doesn’t have much of a filter.”

Ayaka dismisses the Traveler’s apology with a wave of her hand. “Don’t worry. I’d love to visit Mondstadt one day, given the opportunity.”

Lumine’s eyes dart for a moment, as if trying to form thoughts and words before slinging her pack over her shoulder. 

“Um, Paimon and I have to help this family in Konda village. Until next time, Shirasagi Himegimi.”

Ayaka nods, internally disappointed of their conversation suddenly being cut short, and offers a parting wave to Lumine as she heads inland for Konda Village.

---

Lightning flashes over the ocean as Ayaka sips her tea. The Archon must be angered tonight: as violent flashes discharge to the cliffs and crashing waves beyond the safety of the Kamisato Estate. Ayaka is startled when a bolt flashes down onto the grass just beyond the stone walls, flinching when the clap resounds a second later. She wonders if the Shogun would pay her gardening fee were she to mention the incident, perhaps during the scheduled meeting she’s currently trying to arrange.

While rain continues to pour and lightning provides a violent show, Ayaka finishes her cup of tea, and then another. By the time she’s pouring herself a third, most of the waitstaff and Thoma have left for the night. Soon after, the final few bid her goodnight. Ayaka walks them all to the grand doors at the entrance to the Estate, and makes sure that each one leaves with an umbrella and wooden whistle, were any abyss creatures to attack.

Ayaka is drying out her hair when a loud knock comes from the gates. She quickly pins it into a bun and opens the wooden doors for whoever was desperate enough to visit her past eleven. 

“Traveler?” Ayaka isn’t quite sure how she managed to get words past her lips.

Paimon quickly rushes over Ayaka’s shoulder and into her home while the blonde woman greets her with a tired smile.

“Hey, Shirasagi Himegimi… sorry to come by so late.” Lumine says with mild difficulty.

It’s only once Ayaka’s mind processes past how tired the woman sounds does she notice the red staining the Traveler’s white apparel. It’s everywhere too, ugly spots and colorful trails covering the expanse of her body. Somehow, Lumine has a smear of red on her cheek. 

Ayaka quickly ushers Lumine inside the safety of the Estate, an arm slinking to her hip to offer the woman some extra support.

“What happened to you two? Are you alright, Lumine?” Ayaka asks as she aids Lumine ascend the steps to her home. She ignores taking off her shoes in favor of getting Lumine somewhere where she can properly assess her wounds, careful nonetheless to at least kick into the wood outside to rid her soles of most of the mud.

A hand pats Ayaka’s shoulder twice. “I’m fine, Kamisato, really.” Ayaka turns to the woman beside her, flushing at their proximity. She can feel Lumine’s breaths when she speaks next. “Most of it isn’t mine, anyways. I’m just really worn out and don’t have anywhere else to go, cause, y’know, a tent only blocks out so much rain.”

She guides Lumine through the interior to the small bathhouse separated from the main building. Halfway through Lumine disentangles herself from Ayaka and trudges on tired feet.

“Here, please use anything inside to clean yourself up. Do you need assistance?”

Lumine stops and holds herself against the doorframe, turning to Ayaka. “No thank you. I wouldn’t want you to wake up a maid or anything.”

Ayaka smartly omits telling the Traveler that everyone’s gone for the night, and it would’ve been her helping did she ask, saving them both from what she could vividly imagine being an awkward experience. Instead, she watches the woman’s figure disappear behind the door and into the small bathhouse.

Ayaka sighs and reenters her home in search of Paimon.

“Thoma!” Ayaka follows the high-pitched shouts until she finds Paimon in one of the spare bedrooms.

Ayaka clears her throat to catch the floating girl’s attention. “Thoma doesn’t sleep here, we’re the only ones present at this time.”

Paimon frowns. “Oh. There’s something really wrong with the forest and we need to talk to him.”

Ayaka gestures for Paimon to follow her to the kitchen where she brings water to a boil. Paimon continues to look worried until a full plate of cookies and a cup of tea is placed before her.

“Paimon, what’s wrong in Chingu forest?”

“There’s more monsters than normal. It’s not a problem but this time Lumine was seriously outnumbered.” Paimon explains through a mouthful of cookie.

Deep in thought, Ayaka hums and leans her forearms on the table. She’d given her staff whistles to blow were any danger to come, and yet, Ayaka hadn’t once heard the shrill alert. She wonders if they’d made it past the deepest part before Lumine and Paimon had come, but yet again they’d knocked only minutes after Ayaka had sent home her last maid.

“Did you happen to see anyone else in the forest?”

Paimon sips at her tea, wincing when she burns her tongue. “Yeah. Lumine fought against a whole bunch of monsters terrorizing some workers.”

The Shirasagi Himegimi allows herself to let out a small sigh of relief. Paimon glances over in confusion but ultimately returns to the plate of now half-full cookies. Ayaka composes herself quickly and excuses herself from the table.

“I’m going to check on the Traveler now.”

Paimon nods through her chewing and Ayaka leaves the kitchen. On her way back to the bathhouse she stops in her room and pulls out an informal robe for Lumine to wear instead of her soiled dress. 

When she returns, the sound water being splashed onto hot stones is loud. She doesn’t dare open the door, lest she be called a bad host and a pervert - so she settles on sitting in front of the door, head leaning against the aged wood, and lets out a silent, tired yawn.

“I’ve brought clothes for you. I can wash your dress tomorrow morning if you don’t mind.”

The response she hears is soft and slightly muffled. “Thank you, Shirasagi Himegimi.”

Ayaka places the robe beside her on the wooden steps and debates whether to leave or stay. 

“Are you feeling better? We have plenty of ointments and medicines if you need anything.”

Water splashes on the other side of the door. “There’s nothing a wool bandage won’t fix.”

“Okay.” Ayaka whispers into the night air.

“Hey, do you wanna stay for a while?” Ayaka thought she imagined those words before Lumine awkwardly stuttered out more. “Cause, well…I don’t really talk to anyone besides Paimon. And you seem like a good person, Miss Kamisato.”

Ayaka can feel a giggle form but quells it before it has the chance to escape her lips. “I’d be happy to.”

“Thanks,” Lumine says.

Ayaka nods like they could see each other and allows herself a chance to relax. The heat from inside makes the door warm against her back, coaxing the woman into a calm and sleepy state. She can only theorize how Lumine isn’t fast asleep after how tired she was upon arrival.

“Thank you, Lumine, for helping those people in the forest. I’m in your debt”

Ayaka hears what she thinks is a hum and drops of falling water back into the onsen. “You don’t owe me, Miss Kamisato.”

“I owe you an appearance before the Shogun.” Ayaka reminds her.

A deep and bitter sigh seeps past the door. “Yeah, I guess there’s that.”

Ayaka closes her eyes and imagines the rain that falls has stopped, and that the stars that dot the sky were visible beyond the dark clouds. Another clap of thunder resounds and Ayaka’s eyes reopen, watching rainwater fall onto the bottom step from the roof.

She leans forward and catches some water in her palm, freezing it into ice and rearranging the molecules into the design of a snowflake.

“Why are you so eager to visit her?” she dares prodding.

An answer doesn’t come immediately and Ayaka worries she’s overstayed her welcome. She continues to play with the ice in her hand, switching between snow and ice, ice and water, water and snow.

“I have questions only an Archon can answer.”

“Ah,” Ayaka breathes.

Lumine’s vague answer leaves her with many questions, but the woman stays quiet. 

“Sometimes I wish I didn’t have them, though. It wasn’t my choice to travel in search of something that seems unattainable.”

Ayaka lets the ice in her hand materialize into snow before blowing it out into the rain. “Have you not made happy memories along the way?”

“Yes,” Lumine sighs. “As much as it pains me to continue, I have. I’ve met so many different people and seen plenty of things that people would call impossible. It’s just lonely sometimes, when I remember those people, and realize that I may never see them again.”

Ayaka tries to process the information she’s been given. After a moment too long of trying to understand, she gives up.

“And what will you do now? When you’re given an answer from the Raiden Shogun.”

There’s movement from the onsen and Ayaka hears droplets of water fall to the stone floor. She scoots away from the door and keeps her eyes forward as a sliver of light stretches on the wooden steps beside her. The robe at her side is taken and the door closes once more.

“I’m not sure. I’ll follow whatever leads I get from her.”

Ayaka spots another flash of lightning.

“And you?” Lumine asks, her voice suddenly so much clearer. 

Ayaka turns and sees Lumine standing beside her. The blonde lowers herself to sit beside Ayaka - hair still damp - smelling of Ayaka’s favorite lavender melon soap.

“Try and rebuild, I guess. Everyone’s been affected by the decree and border closures. I’ll try to find separated families and reconnect them, maybe even work with Yoimiya to redistribute seized visions.”

Lumine gently nudges her shoulder. “Not even a vacation first?”

The Kamisato heir allows herself a moment to entertain the thought. “Maybe one day. I’d do almost anything to watch an opera in Liyue or drink wine during Mondstadt’s Windblume festivities.”

“You should, really. You could easily become a political envoy.” Lumine suggests.

“Maybe,” Ayaka sighs, and thinks of the people she’d be leaving behind. The decree is still in motion, and there’s no guarantee that Lumine or the resistance will end the Archon’s war against the notion of eternity anytime soon. “But not now. Not when there’s so much rebuilding yet to be done.”

---

“Granny,” Ayaka greets. She makes an effort for the old woman to hear her take off her sandals as an indication of her visit.

“Is that you, Sagi?” Ayaka hears from behind a wall. Granny must be maintaining her koto .

“Yes, it’s me Granny.”

“Good, good, it’s been a few days now.” Ayaka rounds the wall and takes a seat at the chabudai beside the woman. She notes that Granny’s hair has grown out quite a bit in the past month or two. She’d have to cut it for her soon.

“Yes, it has,” Ayaka notes as she pulls a few items out of her satchel. “I brought you some things.”

Granny stops her tinkering with the strings and lifts her head in attention. “Sagi, you’re too kind.” the old woman laughs, “Soon the other grannies at the market are going to think I’m dead because you get everything for me!”

Ayaka gasps, “Don’t say such things!”

The grandmother chuckles to herself and places her hand on the table for Ayaka to take. She does, and feels comfort inside her when a gentle thumb brushes across her knuckles.

“So, what did you get for me today?”

Ayaka gently guides Granny’s hand to a new sack of apples. “A few apples and a new sack of sugar for your breakfasts. Remember you need to make a pulp because the doctor said more teeth may begin to fall out if you keep eating hard foods.”

A misplaced swat lands on her bicep instead of her shoulder. She leads their hands to the next item. “Some new soap because you’re almost out. I also got you a wool blanket: the farmers predict a cold winter.”

Ayaka sees the wide smile grow. Granny looks in the general direction of the items and squeezes her hand tightly. “Such a nice girl.”

Ayaka blushes, not that the other woman would be able to notice and allows herself a moment of indulgence at the praise. As daughter of the Kamisato clan, praise is hard to attain. Of course, onlookers would praise her skills in the arts, politics, even traditional music - but it’s been near impossible for Ayaka to receive genuine praise from one she loves.

Her parents are both gone, and Ayato is never home. His time is spent surrounded by diplomats and other commissioners in the capitol while Ayaka’s been isolated at the Estate. She does see her brother often, but when was the last time they’d sat down to share a meal together? Ayaka can’t remember.

“Sagi? You’ve gone mute on me.”

Right. Granny was her family, too.

Ayaka shakes her head and returns to the present. “It just makes me happy. To help you, that is.”

“Of course, dear.”

---

Ayaka falls onto a rock in defeat, staring at the bioluminescent flowers. Elbows leaning on knees and chin cradled between closed fists, the Kamisato heir huffs out an impatient breath.

Her Hyouka mastery still needs much work - and yet, no matter how much effort she puts into it, it falls below her expectations. Her radius isn’t large enough one attempt, then the next she summons a disappointing amount of snow instead of ice. Ayaka wants nothing more than to wholly master the art in her mother’s memory, like so many that came before. Her failure to master it is as bitter as poorly prepared tea.

She watches the stream for some time. Observes fireflies flicker in and out of view, hopping from one glowing flower to the next. A fox scurries a few feet from Ayaka’s place, effectively pulling her out of her still state. Seconds later she hears footsteps, then fabric brushing against foliage.

Familiar blonde hair appears first, and Ayaka loosens her shoulders. “Traveler,”

The sword Lumine holds disappears into particles of golden light. “Kamisato, didn’t expect to see you here.”

Ayaka shuffles on the rock to give her companion more space to sit. She pats the stone surface in invitation, “I come here often. It’s a good place to think.”

Her shoulder is gently nudged. “What’s on your mind?”

A rule that her brother had solidified into her was to never disclose any weaknesses. As a young child recently orphaned, she’d taken it to heart. Not even Thoma is aware of her struggles with her Hyouka Art. He sees only the best: when Ayaka is fully rested and under pressure from other commissions scrutinizing eyes.

Lumine’s patient silence is welcoming. The stillness and ease between them makes it easy for Ayaka to imagine herself as an ordinary girl with regular problems. But her brother’s teachings are ingrained into her as much as her will to speak. In the silence, Ayaka counts the consequences that would arise were she to say.

“You were right,” Lumine whispers. “This is a good place to think.”

Lumine’s words surprise Ayaka. Like she knew Ayaka wasn’t ready to talk, the blonde gracefully saved themselves from a conversation the Kamisato heir wasn’t yet ready for.

“When I look at the glowing flowers, I’m reminded of my brother. There was this endless field of white flowers we stumbled upon one day and all I can remember was how happy I was to have found it with him.” Ayaka can feel Lumine’s shoulders slump. “And recently I’ve been thinking, ‘maybe we could go back to that field. Pick a few flowers and hand them out to everyone that’s helped us reunite.’”

Ayaka hears Lumine’s grief and desperation and internally slaps herself. Lumine isn’t some dirty government official or Tenryou commissioner. Lumine is quickly becoming a friend - no matter how crazy that seems to Ayaka.

“I can’t master an Art that I’m famous for.”

Lumine’s body shakes as she giggles. Ayaka’s cheeks warm in embarrassment and shame and she stands, confusion and mild anger beginning to simmer in her chest. Lumine jumps to her feet and quickly grabs Ayaka’s shoulders.

“Wait, I wasn’t laughing at your troubles...issue?” Lumine shakes her head, “Doesn’t matter. It’s that if you’ve been struggling with this you should’ve asked me or Thoma.”

Oh 

Oh.

Ayaka warms at an emotion opposite from anger. No one’s ever offered to help Ayaka besides Thoma. Everyone assumes that with Ayaka’s position, she needs no aid or shouldn’t need any. But it’s only ever been Thoma who brings her a fresh pot of tea before he leaves for the night, who brings her chazuke , or who stamps Ayaka’s official sigil on important parchments when her wrist begins to cramp after hours of pouring over documents. 

“I can’t guarantee you’ll master it, but I can try to help.”

Ayaka supposes she can break her brother’s rule for one other person.

“Okay.” Ayaka nods.

“Okay,” Lumine smiles, “ So what’s going wrong?”

Lumine listens intently as Ayaka retells her imprecise Arts summons. After she’s finished Lumine walks around to a flower and gently whirlwinds the plant. Droplets of water emerge and float in Lumine’s hand.

“Water exists in more places than just puddles. Have you tried using what’s around you to gather more water? It’ll be more straining to have to freeze more, but if you’re looking for more powerful ice bursts this is where I’d start.”

Ayaka nods and steps back. Closing her eyes, Ayaka breathes in deeply, giving her focus for her next step. Drops of water ghost on the edge of her senses, her cryo vision hypersensitizing her to the cool water. She focuses on the plants and air around her instead of only the ground and in a quick surge of cryo, flicks her fan above her head. 

She hears a small hum from Lumine and opens her eyes to the blonde eyeing her quizzically. 

“The ice didn’t go very high, but you created a lot of it.”

Ayaka looks down to the ground, seeing more snow and ice than she usually summons, and smiles.

“I can’t believe I never thought to use nature itself,” Ayaka ponders aloud.

Lumine looks to her left, seeming to be searching for something. Upon finding nothing, she quickly fiddles with her fingers like they’re the most interesting things in Teyvat. When the silence stretches, Lumine giggles timidly.

“Sorry, it’s usually Paimon who does most of the talking. But, coming from me, a second person really helps when you’re stuck on something.” 

Ayaka allows a short laugh before pulling the young woman into a short hug. She feels Lumine awkwardly pat her back above her bow before pulling away. 

“Thank you, Lumine.”

---

The Shogun’s eyes turn a terrifying purple, glowing with venomous flames as they look down upon Ayaka. The air becomes charged with potential energy; enough for the hairs on Ayaka’s arms to stand. In the distance, a sole bolt of thunder spears through the sky.

“You limit our meetings for months and now you come begging for an audience?” the Raiden Shogun asks rhetorically.

Ayaka spots the faint glow of purple in her hair and fears for the worst. It is only when the static ceases around them and the dangerous purple glow subsides that Ayaka allows herself a moment to breathe.

“Sara,” the Shogun turns to her most trusted retainer. “What say you?”

The tall woman steps forward and assesses Ayaka briefly. “I say we interrogate her. Rebellion in the West has increased over the time the Kamisato daughter has gone silent.”

Ayaka swallows, watching as her Archon and the highest-ranking military officer discuss Ayaka’s near future. She dares not entertain the theory that she’ll become another number in the vision hunt decree - as that would be unnecessarily cruel for even the Raiden Shogun.

“A proposition, Kamisato Ayaka.” The Archon’s words are dangerously level. “A duel, you against Sara. If you win, I allow this meeting of yours. If you lose, your commission and clan will be interrogated heavily for any traitors to eternity.”

Her mouth opens and closes as her mind rapidly processes the arrangement. No matter what, Ayaka will struggle against the seasoned warrior. Were she to lose, she’d surely be charged with treason along with her collaborators on Watatsumi island and Yoimiya. The proposition is bait, and Ayaka isn’t so naive as to not realize it.

“I respectfully decline,” Ayaka bows. “I shall attend the Tri-Commission gathering next moon.”

Sara clicks her tongue but makes a dismissive gesture. Ayaka turns and walks toward the large doors, feeling her Archon’s scathing eyes on her the entire forty-something feet across the audience chamber.

“Tell your new friend I eagerly await a chance to meet her.” Ayaka freezes at the Shogun’s cool words. She turns to see the Archon hum uninterestedly and inspect her polearm leaning on the side of her throne. “Someone who wields multiple elements is someone worth me meeting, no?”

Ayaka cannot help but clench her fists. Ignoring the Shirasagi Himegimi’s change in demeanor, the Shogun continues. “Perhaps she’d submit to my cause.”

She’s levelling the Shogun with a glare before she even realizes it. Her Archon looks down on her like she’s suddenly something interesting to dissect as Sara steps forward, a nocked arrow ready for any signs of retaliation from Ayaka.

“Interesting,” the electro Archon huffs in amusement.

Ayaka steps forward, ready to argue. 

Ping

Ayaka infuses cryo into her fan and snaps it open, deflecting an electro infused arrow aimed for her shoulder. The impact shatters the thin layer of ice and Ayaka recalls another before Sara has the chance to draw her second arrow.

The two women remain locked in a stare down waiting for retaliation from the other. Movement from the Raiden Shogun catches Ayaka’s brief attention, until her hand is on Sara’s shoulder and she’s whispering in the general’s ear.

Only when Sara relaxes her draw and lowers her bow does Ayaka shatter the ice around her fan and snap it shut, wet ice and water pooling on the smooth tile of the audience chamber.

“I was just leaving.” Ayaka bids the two women goodbye, leaving without a customary bow.

---

Ayaka has a headache. The walk from the capitol to the Estate is nothing but draining on its own, and with the turmoil stirring inside Ayaka the trip had been horrid. She wants nothing more than to brew herself a nice pot of tea and take a nap. That or blow up the Shogun’s palace with some of Yoimya’s more destructive firework powders.

She passes under the final tori gate and is met by the familiar stone walls of the Kamisato Estate. The gates are closed, atypical for a weekday, and two extra guards stand outside. Ayaka feels a new ache come on as she ponders why she’d need extra security before hearing a squeal of surprise.

She hasn’t heard that sound in years.

Ayaka quickens her pace and nods to the guards posted before pushing open the doors herself. What meets her on the other side is the sight of Sayu and Lumine playing with their anemo.

The normally apathetic and lazy ninja is eagerly jumping into tornados Lumine constructs before curling into a ball and rolling across the rooftops. Paimon floats beside the small girl, guiding her so Sayu doesn’t accidentally run off the roof and miss Lumine’s whirlwinds that launch the girl back up.

“Lumine?”

The blonde turns her head towards Ayaka and offers a sheepish smile.

“Sorry, Kamisato, Sayu was really excited to meet another anemo user.”

Ayaka looks back up when Sayu lets out another playful shout. “I can see that.”

Lumine jogs past Ayaka to quickly summon another burst of wind for the girl, returning to the Kamisato’s side once Paimon gives her a thumbs up.

“How was the meeting?”

Against her better judgement, Ayaka decides to lie. It’s been a few meetings since she’s seen Lumine so cheerful - her experiences with the people of Inazuma sapping much life out of her it seemed. “It went smoothly. We will meet with her properly next month.”

Lumine’s shoulders deflate a little at the news. She frowns slightly. “Oh.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t do better.” Ayaka apologizes, resting a hand on the blonde’s shoulder.

Lumine shakes her head and gives Ayaka a small smile. “You’re doing your best, and it means a lot to me. Besides, I’ve gotten pretty used to killing time, don’t you think?”

Ayaka huffs. “If you include endangering a child, then yes.”

A sharp laugh cuts through the air. Ayaka turns, startled, only to see Lumine holding a hand to her stomach and laughing. She’s never heard Lumine even giggle before, and yet here she is laughing at something Ayaka said that was apparently funny.

“Didn’t know you had a sense of humor.” Lumine said between breaths for air.

“Didn’t know you could laugh.” Ayaka quipped back.

A toothy smile and an outstretched hand await her. “Yeah, well, it’s been a while.”

Ayaka takes it - their gloves perfect replicates of each other’s - and lets herself be caught up in a whirlwind. She giggles as her feet leave the ground and Sayu waits for her on the rooftop. Below her, some retainers look at her with poorly masked disdain or shock, undoubtedly confused as to why Ayaka’s taken part in such childish activities. But - as she watches Lumine jump up to her level - Ayaka finds that she doesn’t care what others think.

---

Ayaka sips her tea as she takes in the scenery of still waves and a full moon. In moments like these, Ayaka is able to pretend that the Vision Decree isn’t scrounging every island of Inazuma, and that she isn’t one of the main players in taking down their leader. Right now, watching a fox scurry on the edge of a cliff, Ayaka feels a calm she doesn't often allow herself to stretch out.

“Ayaka,” Lumine announces.

Ayaka turns away from the scenery and looks to the blonde, who’s stepped out of one of the spare bedrooms donning one of Ayaka’s kimonos. She smiles as she takes in her excellent fashion choice. The white and blue flowered kimono she’d given Lumine had clearly been the proper choice.

Lightly shaking her head to rid her thoughts, Ayaka scoots over and pats the space between her and a pillar for Lumine to sit down. The Traveler takes a seat next to Ayaka with a sigh, her hands cradling her teacup close to her lips. 

“Thank you for letting Paimon and I use your home,”

Ayaka hums, and looks back out to the ocean, admiring the shimmer the moon casts over the calm waves.

“And where is Paimon, anyway?”

Beside her, Lumine barely stifles a chuckle. “She’s probably raiding your kitchen, if I had to guess.”

Ayaka makes a mental note to apologize to her kitchen staff tomorrow morning. From what she’s heard from Lumine, her companion is a notoriously big eater. If watching Paimon eat almost her entire plate of cookies about a month ago is anything to go by, she’d have to send one of her staff out to tomorrow’s morning market.

“Don’t worry, though. I’ll pay you back whatever she eats.” Lumine sighs, “I still can’t control her manners.”

She sips her tea before speaking. “It’s okay, Lumine.”

From the corner of her eye Lumine nods. The two sit in silence, watching the moon reflect off the waves.

“Do you ever get tired?” Lumine’s voice is barely above a whisper when she breaks their silence, “Tired enough to want to curl in on yourself and just … stop?”

Ayaka looks over to Lumine, who keeps her eyes trained on the horizon.

“Yes.”

Lumine turns, expectant and questioning. “And how do you keep going?”

The teacup in her hands is no longer warm to the touch, but Ayaka holds it tighter for heat regardless. “My mother. I think about my mother and how proud she’d be to see all I’ve accomplished and have yet to do.”

Lumine shuffles. “How did she die?”

Ayaka distracts herself from grief by studying the golden flecks dotting Lumine’s eyes. “She was sick. It started with pneumonia but got worse. My father wasn’t far behind, after her passing.”

Lumine’s hand is warm against her own and Ayaka stiffens at the unexpected contact. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

Ayaka’s hand closes over Lumine’s before she can register her action. “No, it’s okay. It’s difficult almost everyday, but we can’t give up on our goals. Even if I am so-” Ayaka yawns, then laughs at her impeccable timing. “Tired.”

“I think maybe you should get some sleep,” Lumine whispers. Her soft smile tells Ayaka that she’s not offended by her improper etiquette, and the Kamisato heir is reminded again how the blonde is so much kinder to her than any Inazumen minister.

Her eyes fall from Lumine’s lips to her shoulder and how it’s so close. “Actually, if you don’t mind… May I rest my head on your shoulder? Just for a moment.”

Lumine nods after rearranging herself to lean against the pillar, and doesn’t let go of Ayaka’s hand as she leans onto the blonde’s shoulder. The first thing Ayaka notices is how warm Lumine really is. As someone who’s naturally a little cooler than everyone else thanks to her vision, Ayaka finds herself sighing deeply - enjoying Lumine’s warmth. 

The second thing is that Ayaka underestimated how tired she is. Leaning on Lumine, listening to her heartbeat, and feeling the rise and fall of the blonde’s body, Ayaka feels like a child again, being lulled to sleep. 

Lumine must’ve sensed this, too, as she pulled Ayaka into a more comfortable position for her neck. Once the Kamisato heir is settled, Lumine’s arm gently comes to rest around Ayaka’s hip. In the crook of Lumine’s shoulder Ayaka smiles, and allows herself just a moment longer.

---

Ayaka holds her mother’s diary tight to her chest. Passing by her parent’s bedroom had given Ayaka a strange feeling of curiosity. She had ventured inside and found it exactly as she’d remembered as a child. Ayaka had sat on her mother’s side of the bed and - in a burst of childishness - had opened her mother’s nightstand. A red leatherbound diary was sitting neatly, waiting to be read.

Her mother, as it turns out, loved her adventures. She’d wandered around under the alias Tsubaki. Her mother had lived two lives at once. One of responsibility and honor, the other of freedom and spontaneity. 

As she sits, the weight of her mother’s past absorbing into her mind, Ayaka wonders if she too could choose to do things for herself without forsaking her family’s name.

---

“I remember letting you lift me up to the roof, but this is something else entirely.” Ayaka hopes she doesn’t sound as nervous as she feels.

“It’s basically a Mondstadt tradition. At least that’s what Amber told me.” Lumine tinkers with a small anemo infused object in her hands. Her troubled expression does nothing to quell Ayaka’s anxiety, especially when the young woman hits the center with her palm in frustration.

They’re standing atop the highest peaks of Mount Yougou for a reason Lumine only disclosed to her via vague answers and hands eagerly pulling hers along the steep mountain path. Ayaka peaks over the edge and overlooks Narukami island, spotting Ritou village in the distance. Lumine had once mentioned a good hot pot place over there, but Ayaka wasn’t sure when they’d find the time to visit. It’d take at least four hours to descend the mountain and walk over.

“There!” Lumine declares triumphantly.

Ayaka turns to see an old, brown looking set of wings. She touches the fabric closest to her in curiosity and gasps when she senses anemo energy keeping the wing outstretched.

“I fear what we’re about to do next.” Ayaka says.

Lumine smiles excitedly and turns around, showing Ayaka the back of her gown. Her finger points to a similar circular object.

“They’re safe and you shouldn’t be scared. Little kids do this in Mondstadt all the time.”

“I doubt from such high places.” Ayaka mumbles.

“It’s okay, Princess,” Lumine reassures Ayaka, turning her around by the shoulders. “I’m going to be right beside you. Besides, doing it from this high up will make everything after it seem safe.” Ayaka feels her bow being rearranged for Lumine to find a spot to place the object.

Her bow falls back into place and Ayaka turns. Lumine is right in front of her looking as confident as ever. Ayaka sighs in defeat, knowing she can’t talk herself out of this now - not when Lumine’s so excited.

“Think of it as me bringing Mondstadt to you, hmm?” Lumine smiles.

Ayaka nods, “Okay.”

“Okay,” Lumine repeats. “So, when we jump off the glider will only outstretch when you bring your arms out. It’ll probably be a little hard to do, so if you need to, start by pulling your arms above your head before rotating them to your sides.”

She swallows and nods. Mustering a smile wasn’t as easy as she’d hoped, and a gentle hand is placed on her shoulder. Lumine steps closer, looking intently at her.

“I didn’t think you’d be this nervous, truthfully. We don’t have to do this today, or here, or at all really, if you’re scared.”

Ayaka sees the concern in Lumine’s eyes and blushes. In this moment she’s being treated so gently that Ayaka doesn’t know what to do with herself. The last thing she wants is to disappoint Lumine and not jump, but she also isn’t able to rationalize with her brain and jump.

“Lumine,” Ayaka steps back and the arm on her shoulder falls.

“Ayaka?” Lumine asks.

“Bet you can’t catch me,” she jumps backwards and feels no ground beneath her.

Ayaka takes the leap of faith.

She trusts in her instincts to tell her when to extend her arms. She trusts herself to dodge the jagged slopes and floating mounds of soil that dot the mountainside and her muscles to contract so she gains enough speed to outmaneuver Lumine. She trusts Lumine, that she’ll be there were anything to go wrong - like she said she would.

Behind her are the laughs of Lumine as she tries to catch up and the shout for Ayaka to extend her arms. Ayaka does, and feels the immediate recoil of the glider parachuting her. To her left Lumine continues to fall below her before recoiling to her level. 

Ayaka sees Lumine’s toothy smile and laughs as the two glide side-by-side over to Konda village.

---

“Sagi,” Granny’s koto playing stops and the small house falls into silence. “Sagi you’ve gone mute again. What’s the latest news?”

Ayaka looks up from her twirling thumbs to the old woman. Granny had gently placed her koto on the floor beside her and was now staring in her direction.

“The one hundredth seized vision was interrupted. The Raiden Shogun has released an arrest warrant for the vision user and the person who stopped the ceremony.” She tries not to let her voice waver, but cannot stop the helplessness that seeps past her lips.

“Was it someone important to you?” Granny asks.

Ayaka bites her lower lip as her vision goes blurry. “Granny, I - I know them both.” 

A few tears begin to fall and Ayaka quickly wipes them away. The old woman slowly shuffles over to Ayaka and feels for her shoulders. Once both hands are gently atop, she pulls Ayaka into her arms.

“Oh, my sweet Sagi. How could you get tangled up with them?” A hand goes up to gently play with Ayaka’s ponytail, and the Kamisato heir is painfully reminded of those she’s lost.

Ayaka, who hasn’t felt this safe since her mother’s passing. Her father, who’d be so concerned to see his daughter crying. Ayato, who talks only to his younger sister when politics are involved. Thoma, her oldest friend who’s currently on the run and hasn’t sent word of his safety to Ayaka. Lumine - the woman Ayaka’s come to hold so dearly in her heart - in hiding with no sign of communication.

“They both mean so much to me,” Ayaka says unsteadily. “I think I love her.”

Granny says no more, continuing to hold Ayaka close until the young woman is able to calm her breathing.

---

Ayaka stumbles over an uneven cobblestone and corrects herself. The people of Inazuma City move to the sides of the stone streets, confused frowns and curious eyes following her as she runs past. She’d been in a meeting at Komore Teahouse when the news broke. The Vision Hunt Decree was abolished, all those that were fugitives are now free. Ayaka had risen from her place and briskly walked out the door. Once in the city, she’d broken into a run towards the city limits. 

She runs past Yoimiya’s home, and the blonde woman shouts for her to slow down.

“What’s happened?” the fireworks maker asks.

Ayaka, slightly out of breath, tells her friend the news. “The Decree, it’s abolished. Visions are legal again.”

She watches only for a second as the information begins to settle and Yoimiya’s eyes widen before breaking off into a sprint again.

The outskirts of the city are peaceful, the people that will eventually flood the city to reclaim their visions have not yet been notified. It is here that Ayaka catches the first glimpses of yellow and red, alongside pink and white. A small crowd approaches the city, and in it Ayaka spots some members of the resistance beside Yae Miko and Thoma.

Her heels sink into the dirt path and she shouts, “Thoma!”

She doesn’t see his initial expression - with them being quite far from one another - but she grins when he breaks into a sprint towards her. When he’s near enough to grab Ayaka he does, and spins her into a tight hug.

“I’m so glad you’re okay.” Ayaka breathes, arms tight around his neck.

“Yeah,” Thoma laughs, and sets her down. “Guuji Yae was kind enough to extend sanctuary to me once Narukami island doubled it’s search efforts.”

The small crowd is closer, and Ayaka catches Guuji Yae’s eyes. The priestess nods like she heard everything, and Ayaka spares a grateful smile.

“This one however,” Thoma smiles and steps to the side, allowing Ayaka to eye the crowd. “Had a much more exciting time as a fugitive.”

Lumine and Paimon squeeze past the others and Ayaka jogs to two duo. Lumine smiles and opens her mouth to say something before the Kamisato heir’s pulling her into a tight hug. Lumine’s arms find purchase around Ayaka’s torso and the two women hug for a moment more.

“Ayaka, it’s good to see you again.” Lumine smiles.

“Yeah! We were worried about you after we escaped to Watatsumi Island,” Paimon floats down low enough to hug Ayaka. “We felt bad for leaving you, but we were on the run.”

Ayaka laughs. “Don’t worry, Paimon. You two had quite enough to do.”

“I’m afraid as part of the Yashiro commission, you’ll have your own number of things to do soon.” Guuji Yae interjects. “A festival’s being planned, to celebrate the Decree being abolished. You and your brother have much to prepare.”

Yae’s smirk unsettles Ayaka slightly, but the woman doesn’t dwell on it. The Kitsune is plenty wise, but equally a jester. It’s only her natural playfulness coming through, and maybe a little bit of amusement from watching her reunion with Thoma and her…friend, Lumine.

---

With the borders open came the influx of Teyvat’s other regions. Wine vendors from Mondstadt owned stalls beside tobacco vendors from Natlan next to tea vendors from Liyue. Academics, ministers, vendors, families split by the travel ban, and tourists came into Ritou village daily. As the festival date approaches, Ayaka quells down a small voice in her mind that hopes Lumine would be upon one.

Lumine has been away from Inazuma for two months. Each day Ayaka awakens with the weight of unspoken words, and Granny asks her each time she visits if she’s confessed her feelings. 

It’s true: what the poets say. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

---

There are ten tori gates between the entrance of Chingu forest and the Kamisato estate. 

As they pass beneath each one, Ayaka is painfully reminded that her time with Lumine is dwindling, like sand falling between her fingers. In seven gates, they’ll part ways with neither woman knowing when they’ll see each other next.

To her heart’s happiness, Lumine did come back for the festival. The woman had explained to her as they walked between stalls and looked at the trinkets for sale that Sumeru was an interesting region. She’d spoken of how lonely she felt without her - having only Paimon as company once again - and they’d held hands as Yoimiya’s fireworks had begun to paint the sky.

Ayaka sighs, and laments her failure to confess her true feelings to Lumine during the firework display. She hadn’t been able to find the proper words either, when both women were stopping at stalls and choosing what snacks they’d like to eat on the walk back to the Kamisato Estate.

“Thank you for accompanying me at the festival,” Ayaka says slowly, hoping now that she can form the proper words to express herself. “I’ve been to very few festivals, and I’m glad it was you beside me tonight.”

The red-stained wood stands out more than the flowers in Lumine’s hair when Ayaka looks her way. Six more gates.

“I thought you’d have gone to every one you organized?”

Ayaka’s expectations deflate, but she answers Lumine’s question anyway. “Most people are intimidated by my presence. I’d rather not leave an awkward moment in the memories of those who attend.”

“Well, they shouldn’t be. You’re amazing, Ayaka.”

One of Lumine’s hands comes up to scratch her head awkwardly, and the young woman smiles sheepishly.

“I’m happy to hear that.” 

Ayaka snaps her fan open and hides her growing smile. It’s childish, Ayaka knows, letting her heartbeat faster and her cheeks warm with the tingling feeling of romance. It’s only a matter of time before Lumine parts ways with her. After finishing her business with the Shogun, there isn’t much reason to remain in Inazuma.

Ayaka wonders for a moment if she’d be enough. She wants so badly for the words stuck in her chest to erupt.

“You’re frowning,” Lumine points out. Ayaka raises a brow, her fan still hiding the lower half of her face. “Your brows are furrowed. What’s on your mind?”

She says it so effortlessly that Ayaka wants to spill everything, poetry and pretty words be damned.

So she does.

“Follow me.”

Ayaka doesn’t wait for Lumine to think and the Kamisato heir runs off into the woods without looking to see if Lumine follows. She hears the weak shout of hey behind her and the crunch of heels against the forest’s underbrush. Every step she takes her chest burns hotter in anticipation, in nervousness, in realization. 

She’s never been so conflicted over emotions before. Not even as a child, as she wrestled wanting to cry and grieve over pushing forward and devoting herself to her studies. She knew that she had to move on, and to preserve the family. But now, Ayaka doesn’t know if she’s about to make the correct choice. Like her mother, Ayaka feels stuck between two worlds.

For just a moment: Ayaka quells her feelings of doubt. Then for another. And another. She doesn’t let herself think, much like she doesn’t stop running until she’s found her clearing and waterfall.

She turns and sees Lumine enter the clearing. The blonde’s panting stops when she takes in her surroundings, eyes widening just a fraction in recognition. The pounding of her heart in her chest is all Ayaka can hear, the forest seemingly mute around them.

“This’ll only take a moment.” Ayaka assures Lumine. The words are more reassuring for Ayaka than the blonde. She takes a quick breath and lets her clenched hands relax. “I think I love you. I’m not sure now, but with time I think I’ll know.”

Golden eyes refuse to leave hers. When the silence stretches past what Ayaka anxiously counts to be four seconds, she lowers her gaze.

“Ah, no…I mean don’t look like that.” The combination of awkwardness and softness confuses Ayaka. A gentle hand on her cheek guides her back up. Lumine is a step closer, she notes. 

“Like what?” she chuckles dryly.

“Like I was going to say no, or reject you, or something.” the blonde clarifies. “Because I wasn’t going to.”

Her heart in open rebellion of her brain, Ayaka smiles wide enough for her eyes to crinkle. Before her Lumine is still standing close, hand cupping her cheek. Ayaka holds her breath as the blonde brings up her other hand to cup her other cheek and she feels so warm now, red cheeks held by gentle hands. 

“I think I love you too,” Lumine confesses, then smiles like she’s made a thrilling discovery. “I do know I’d like to kiss you, though.”

Ayaka doesn’t give herself any time to think about how quickly her heart is beating, that she’s feeling a dizzy mix of joy and nervousness, or dwell on how she’s never kissed someone. She reaches out for the fabric of Lumine’s dress at her hips and firmly pulls her closer.

Both women meet in the middle, and Ayaka feels the softness of Lumine’s lips against hers. The action in itself isn’t inherently breathtaking, but the passion she feels when Lumine tilts her head just a fraction and the security that radiates from the hands cupping her jaw give Ayaka the feeling that she’d fall were Lumine not holding her so gently. 

Sooner than Ayaka’d have liked, Lumine pulls away. She doesn’t leave completely however, foreheads resting against each other, and both women breathing in silence. It feels ethereal, to be held in Lumine’s arms and brought back for another gentle kiss. When they part, Ayaka can only giggle - still in disbelief - and hug Lumine tightly.

---

It’s been three months since the blonde went off to Natlan. Ayaka receives a letter weekly in response to hers, telling the Kamisato heir that she’s doing well in the foreign region. Lumine’s letters always come with a photo of her and Paimon, a private message written on the back since her floating companion always insists on writing a small letter on the parchment. This week it was a ticket to Yun Jin’s opera, paid by Ningguang who owed Lumine a favor from her time in Liyue.

She’s at a small table all to herself, with a cup of steaming tea to keep her relaxed. The bamboo panels paint scenery of the rolling hills and mountain cliffs of Liyue. Other patrons talk quietly amongst themselves as the room waits for the first aria to begin. 

She spends her time admiring the artistry of the hills once more. Had Lumine walked these cliffs, she wonders? Above a mountain sits a white and blue crane who Ayaka assumes to be Cloud Retainer. She remembers Lumine talking about the adeptus during one of their conversations over tea. The Kamisato heir reaches for her cup and sips, busying herself before the performance begins.

Lanterns are extinguished around the crowd, the lights from the stage now being the only illumination. The room quickly quiets. A pipa and guzheng begin their melody.

“Oh good. Right on time.”

Ayaka turns, wide eyes landing on Lumine. The young woman is wearing a formal kimono Ayaka had gifted her for their first anniversary. Still frozen in surprise, Ayaka misses her chance to kiss Lumine back when her lover leans in for a quick kiss.

“I missed you.” Ayaka whispers. Yun Jin or any other actor has yet to make an appearance, and Ayaka hopes that those around them can forgive her lack of etiquette.

Lumine looks her way and smiles, grabbing a hand resting in her lap and entwining their fingers together. Such a simple action still has Ayaka blushing under the dim light and eagerly squeezing back.

Soon, Yun Jin walks onto the stage, demanding the attention of both women. Ayaka watches on, enthralled by the unfamiliar opera and arias. Her and Lumine’s hands eventually part under the table. But Ayaka doesn’t fret, for Lumine is there beside her, and there’ll be plenty more moments for them to be together.