Chapter Text
Albedo wakes up to warmth and the crackling of a fire. He is laying down on a bedroll.
"You're awake," comes his own voice. "I've taken the liberty of conducting a brief physical examination, and it seems you'll recover quickly. It's as though you were buried for hardly any time at all."
Albedo blinks and sits up, head spinning. He looks around, observing the area. It's the camp. Paimon is sleeping in a pile of blankets. He sees… ah, right. The actual Albedo, approaching with a potion in hand. "Does your physical state persist between transformations?"
Aether-Albedo hums, closing his eyes. "Somewhat. More than expected. Major physical injuries do not transfer, but my hypothermic state seemed to affect this form to some extent."
"I see. If you were to shift back, what would your state be? Does resting in one form allow another to recover? Do other remedies work across forms?"
Aether-Albedo pinches the bridge of his nose. "One moment. This form is very new, and the flow of knowledge is not smooth as of yet." He allows the information to sink into him before nodding. "Generally, a period of rest will allow for revival of forms that have experienced death. Healing remedies, for the most part, only affect the active form. If I were to become Aether now, I expect that he would be experiencing the physical effects of hypothermia and near-death, but his temperature would be more or less the same as mine now."
He looks back to see Albedo watching with what he recognizes as immense curiosity in his eyes. "Fascinating. If that is the case, I would recommend you return to your… presumably, original form in order to take this potion. It is formulated to treat hypothermia."
Aether-Albedo nods, taking it. "He will, then. I should inform you that he is keeping an immense anxiety at bay by being me. Or rather, you. I have no intention of shifting back into Aether at this current moment." He pulls his legs into a cross-legged position, putting his hands in his lap. "I am sure you have plenty of questions. Ask away. But in return, later, I ask that you allow Aether to ask about you."
Albedo hums, putting a hand on his chin. If Aether-Albedo were anyone else, he may not have seen the excitement in his eyes. "Alright," Albedo says. "This seems a fair trade to me. Then, first of all: do you consider yourself me?"
"Yes. When Aether shifts into another, he becomes a copy of that individual, including personality, abilities, and knowledge. That said, there are limitations. He is only able to shift into those whose stars—whose fates—align with his, and each form must be developed and used in order to broaden access to the original's full faculties. Personality and mannerisms are copied easily, abilities take longer and require consumption of materials, and knowledge simply takes time."
"Oh? And how much do you know about me?"
"Not much beyond what Aether knows about you. Though, if I think about it…" Aether-Albedo touches the star on his neck. "A homuncular nature…?"
Albedo tenses before nodding. "Yes, I am… an artificial human. A life made by human hands."
"Aether will have more questions for you later, then, if you are willing. For now, we may continue with your questions of me."
Albedo nods slowly. "Alright… in time." He frowns for a brief span of silence. "May I examine you more thoroughly? I'm curious about the extent of replication. I was… very brief earlier. Paimon was rather vocal in her distrust of me."
Aether-Albedo lets out a small huff. "Unsurprising. Yes, go ahead. You should find that we are identical in every way."
Albedo hums and comes closer, kneeling down next to him. He takes Aether-Albedo's chin in hand and directs him with gentle pressure to change his angle. Albedo stares intensely into his eyes before turning his attention to his hair. A hand brushes through Aether-Albedo's hair, fingers trailing across the braids and to the ponytail. Aether-Albedo closes his eyes. It feels surprisingly nice.
The touch trails down to the mark on his neck, and Aether-Albedo can't help but shiver, feeling oddly vulnerable.
"What happens when articles of clothing are removed from you? Can they? Do they vanish?" Albedo moves his touch to the clothing, investigating the details.
Aether-Albedo blinks his eyes open, seeing Albedo take one of his gloved hands into his own. "They can be removed, and they persist until I drop the shift, after which they vanish. When I shift again, the clothing is returned to me."
"I see." Albedo tugs off one of the gloves, observing the bare skin. The texture of Albedo's own glove is rough against his hand.
"I have no intention of stripping bare, to note. Though this is more a reservation of Aether than myself."
"Unfortunate, but understandable." Albedo slides the glove back on. "What would occur if your Vision was separated from you?"
"Same as any other resident of this world until I shift back. I would be unable to harness the elements during separation."
Albedo nods and pulls back, sitting down cross-legged as well. "As you said, we seem to be identical. Even the clothes are precisely reproduced."
Aether-Albedo nods. "As expected. Do you have further questions?"
"Many. Would a shifted form forget that you are Aether? Would you believe yourself to belong in the original's place?"
"No, besides a few brief moments. That is not the purpose of the ability."
Albedo's gaze sharpens. "Purpose?"
Aether-Albedo pauses. "Aether is not eager to share that particular fact. Though perhaps you'll figure it out on your own? I'm curious if you would."
"Is that so?" Albedo crosses an arm across his chest. "Hm. Can you tell me more about what consumption entails?"
"Yes." Aether-Albedo puts his hand on his chin. "If you have any Geo elemental crystals, I can demonstrate. A fresh flower could do as well. A Cecilia perhaps? Each form improves the most with different materials, and that one seems suitable for mine."
Albedo hums, standing up and turning to his shelves. "I believe I should have some fragments… ah, here." Albedo hands him the yellow crystal before stepping back.
Aether-Albedo holds it up in the air, observing its facets. "The consumption is more metaphysical than physical," he says. "I could consume it orally if I wish to spare some effort, but it is much the same, and some materials are not safe or pleasant to actually put in my mouth." He directs a sliver of his power to the crystal. It turns into white light before vanishing entirely. Immediately, Aether-Albedo can feel this form stabilize further, accompanied by the slight increase in fatigue at the effort of extending his celestial power.
"Very fascinating." Albedo looks into the distance. "A power to shapeshift depending on an intertwined fate. The ability to consume materials to grow stronger and access more of that individual… hmm." Albedo looks at him. "What happens when the original dies?"
"Ah." Aether-Albedo looks off to the side. "It… depends on how they die. If they die on their own, then I keep the shift as is. It becomes a form unmoored, where I can define the way it grows… or stays the same. Their fate becomes Aether's to shape."
"What is the other option?"
Aether-Albedo purses his lips. "Aether is… hesitant to share this. Despite myself being content with it. A curious sensation, to be myself with the intent of Aether influencing me as well."
"Hmm." Albedo starts pacing. "Allow me to guess, then. You are able to consume materials—can you consume entire individuals then? My supposition would be that you instantaneously gain all their powers, abilities, and memories."
Aether-Albedo sighs. "Yes, more or less, but Aether avoids doing this. The memories are still not instantaneously accessible, but they do come much more quickly. I will note that if non-fated individuals are consumed, they are little different from materials."
"What defines a 'fated' individual?" Albedo asks.
"Aether plays a major part in their story, or they in Aether's over the course of his journey through the world. It does require him to traverse through the worlds personally… and Aether was always the one prone to getting attached, as opposed to his sister."
"I see. These abilities seem very suitable for taking the place of individuals via mimicry… but, given that you have stated the purpose of it is different… hmm." Albedo comes closer, kneeling down next to Aether-Albedo and staring into his eyes. "Just how much are you able to consume?"
Aether-Albedo looks to the side. "As I am now, very little. But in… certain circumstances, which I try my best to avoid, and at my full power… everything."
"Circumstances?"
"Death, in Aether's form. This was a reason why he shifted to me when he was losing consciousness. Aether would revive, though it grants an… opportunity for a different form to emerge, one where his psyche is different, where instinct is dominant." Aether-Albedo hums. "Were they at full power, their deaths could easily spell the end of the world."
Albedo stares at him a bit longer. "A world eater," he concludes. "Yet, not one that is pure destruction. No… you preserve the 'fated' individuals of the world in your own being before consuming everything. Is that correct?"
"... That describes the mechanics of it. But for several hundred worlds, Aether and his sister have only been travelers and not calamities. Aether… enjoys being a part of a world." Aether-Albedo smiles wryly. "He likes to feel a sense of belonging, however brief. However incomplete." He pauses. "Not unlike us?"
Albedo looks as though he is about to answer, but there is a loud groan from Paimon. "Ouuugh… Paimon's head hurts…" Paimon flies close to Aether-Albedo. "Paimon can't believe you two! Albedo tried to kill Aether, and here you are answering all his questions!"
"Ah, well…" Aether-Albedo shrugs. "I saw no reason to deny cooperation with myself."
Paimon gives him a look. Aether-Albedo coughs and looks away.
"Ah, I do have a curiosity," Albedo says. "Who else can you shift into?"
Aether-Albedo pauses. "There are many. Aether has not even shifted into all those he could potentially shift into. Let's see… Amber was the first. Kaeya, Lisa, Jean… Xiangling, Aether had an encounter with her. Venti, Diluc… Yes. Ah, there was Klee, too."
Albedo's eyebrows lift. "Klee?"
"Yes. She's quite, ah… powerful is one word for it. Though actions as Klee might be… unpredictable." Aether-Albedo looks at Paimon. "Two children running around can lead to quite the adventures, after all."
"Hey! Paimon's not a child!"
Albedo frowns. "You have the psyche of a child—of Klee, running around without supervision?"
"Paimon's a great supervisor, you know…" Paimon says, petulant.
Albedo hums. "Well, regardless. Is that safe?"
"No, of course not." Aether-Albedo huffs. "A copy is still a copy, and at the early stages… well, the abilities were present. The skills to use them safely were not. Though at present, the form of Klee has a better grasp on things and is less prone to subjecting herself to her own explosions."
Albedo puts a hand on his chest and closes his eyes as if pained. "Somehow, despite knowing that it is you, Aether, I find the thought of Klee injuring herself a bit distressing."
Aether-Albedo hums. "If it's any consolation, even dying doesn't get her down."
Albedo inhales and exhales, eyes still closed.
"Would you like to see her?"
Albedo blinks his eyes open, taken aback. "Ah… yes, actually. If you would."
Aether-Albedo closes his eyes and calls upon that constellation. He is enveloped in a pale light, and then—
Klee opens her eyes and sees Albedo staring at her. She immediately feels a sense of joy and a big smile breaks out across her face. "Albedooooo!" She launches herself at him, and a look of alarm crosses his face before he extends his arms out to catch her.
There's a soft "oof" from him, and… he seems super stiff!
Oh, yeah. Klee is actually Aether. "Ahh!" She wiggles out, diving back among the blankets before peeking out to look at Albedo. "Um… D-did I make you uncomfy? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I just got so excited to see you…"
Albedo blinks a few times. "Ah, no, that's alright. I was just surprised, and unsure of how I'm supposed to treat you like this."
"Oh." Klee sinks into the blankets. "Well, um… you can treat me like the real Klee if you want. If you're, um, comfy with that. Or you can treat me like Aether. It'd be kind of weird for me since he's not me right now kinda but that's okay."
Klee looks to the side and sees Paimon floating nearby, a cloud of gloom hanging over her. Maybe from being ignored. "Paimon!" Klee makes grabby hands and Paimon brightens before flying close and letting Klee hug her.
Paimon giggles and pulls away, floating next to her. "Paimon always loves to see Klee… you're much better than those nerds!"
Klee snickers. "Sorry Albedo ignored you earlier. Albedos?" Klee makes a face. "Do they both count as my brothers? Oh!" Klee looks at Albedo with sparkling eyes. "You're my brother… Oh, um, real Klee's brother." Klee hides in her blankets. "If you don't feel like you're my brother it's okay."
Albedo frowns. "I'll have to give this some thought. Does Klee know?"
"Nuh-uh," Klee says, shaking her head. "Aether doesn't like people finding out… a lot try to kill him, like you did."
Albedo winces. "That was a misunderstanding. I thought Aether was… someone else."
Klee's eyes widen. "Are there more Albedos?"
"It's possible, but they might not be very nice." Albedo reaches out to pat her head before hesitating, as if catching himself. Klee scoots closer and tries to give him her shiniest eyes, and Albedo sighs fondly before letting his hand settle on her head.
"Mm, Albedo's pats are the best…"
"Paimon thinks Aether's pats are the best!"
Klee taps her chin. "Well, I guess I can't pat myself, but maybe Aether can go give a pat to actual Klee himself."
"I'm sure she'd enjoy it, if she thinks of you—ah, Aether—as a friend," Albedo says, pulling his hand away. "It is fascinating, how convincing the transformation is…" Albedo murmurs. "While I consciously know you are a different being, I can't help but feel as though you are her."
Klee blinks up at him. "Is it scary? Should I go?"
Albedo pauses. "The potential is quite frightening, but I don't mind your presence. That said…" He hums. "Is Aether willing to come back yet?"
Klee pokes her lip. Now? Well… Albedo doesn't seem so mean. It was an accident, earlier. Now he knows and he still likes Aether-Klee. Maybe… okay. "Okay," she says, and lets the shift melt away.
Aether takes in a sharp breath, suddenly dizzy. A hand stabilizes him and something is brought to his lips—the potion? Ah, he must have set it down earlier. Aether drinks, and a warm feeling suffuses through his entire body.
"You're injured," Albedo notes.
"Yeah, from… fights and from the fall," Aether mumbles. "I heal quickly, though."
"Still, allow me to examine you and treat your wounds."
"Okay," Aether says, and lets Albedo lay him down. He closes his eyes as Albedo pokes at him, applying salve to open wounds and wrapping them in bandages.
"I apologize, again," Albedo says. "I did not mean to cause you so much distress. Your nature as a shapeshifter was surprising, but my hostility was undeserved."
Aether looks blearily at Albedo. "So… are you not going to try to kill me? Expose me?"
"No… no." Albedo shakes his head. "While I'm quite certain you are dangerous, your intentions don't seem malicious at all. If you wanted to cause destruction, I'm sure you would have done it by now. I'm sure you would not have been so kind as to help with all of Monstadt's problems, nor would you have been so willing to go along with my experiments."
Aether hums, closing his eyes. "Well… did they help, in the end?"
"... You baffle me. Yes, they did. Please rest for now, and I will share my findings later. Paimon is glaring at me."
Aether chuckles breathily. "Alright, then," he murmurs. "I'll just take a nap, then…"
Later, after Aether wakes, Albedo shows him and Paimon the bloom of the otherworldly seed. Beautiful but transient.
They part not long after, with a promise from Albedo that he will explain about his own nature another time Aether comes.
"You are welcome to visit any time you like as well," Albedo says. "Despite the… circumstances of today, I would enjoy the opportunity to talk with you more."
Aether agrees, and then he teleports to Starsnatch Cliff. He sits among the grass and the breeze, taking a moment to enjoy the peace of the dawn.
"You okay, Aether?" Paimon asks, popping into the air next to him.
"Yeah, I'm alright," Aether says. "I'm… surprised he accepted me so easily. Is it because he's different, too? Or is he just more focused on the intrigue of my existence?"
"Paimon wouldn't be surprised if it was both."
Aether laughs. "Yeah, well. It'd be nice to see him again sometime, and Dragonspine might be isolated enough that I can be a bit more free with my shifting."
"Paimon still thinks he's suspicious…"
Aether huffs. "Next time, you can interrogate him too, maybe."
"I will!"
Aether laughs again before lapsing into silence. Paimon sits down next to him, and eventually, she asks, "Where will you go next?"
"Liyue," Aether says. "Let's see if I'll find any answers there."
"Well, Paimon thinks you'll find something. And I'll be with you every step of the way!"
"Ha, thanks, Paimon," Aether says, giving her a pat.
When the sun rises above the sea, they go.