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While she might not be the most pacifist person ever, Lumine appreciated the times of peace. Especially with how chaotic Teyvat could be.
Perching on one of the many stools in front of the ramen stall, Lumine took in her surroundings. It brought a sense of hapiness in her to see her friends enjoying the Mikawa Flower Festival and interacting with each other and the youkais.
Paimon had left her side minutes ago after stuffing her face and was now playing Akitsu Yuugei with Yoimiya, Ayaka and the little yokais. It was rather endearing seeing Ayaka trying the game for the first time. She started off awkward (trying to maintain grace probably) but was now freely laughing with the yokais. It brought a lightness in Lumine's heart to see Ayaka being free and having fun how she always wanted to, just as how she learned her mother once did.
By the stalls, Sayu was trying to sleep, but kept interrupted by Hitotsume Kozou who also tried to sleep after hearing the ninja's theory of getting taller by sleeping. It was not easy as the festival was lively, thus the yokai kept on bothering Sayu and asking her to tell stories so he could sleep. The little ninja entertained the yokai but before he fell asleep, she did first and he had to wake her up again. The cycle had been going on for a few minutes now.
Her attention then turned to Heizhou, Kazuha and Thoma. The two anemos and the pyro were in a serious discussion. Lumine had overheard their conversation while she passed through earlier and it seemed they were trying to crack a rather puzzling mystery. Lumine would not volunteer, but if they were to ask her for help, she knew she would not be able to refuse. She loved a good brain games here and there, after all. Unconsciously, Lumine smiled upon seeing how at ease Kazuha was now on the land of Inazuma. Gone was the day when he could only look to the distance in longing, replaced with the opportunity to reconnect with old acquaintances and striking up new friendships.
Further by the water edge, Itto and Gorou had found themselves leaning side by side against the large rock, still deep in a conversation. She would never thought the general and oni would hit it off, considering how serious one was and unserious the other but alas, companionship knows no boundaries, as Lumine learned. She could not help but think how cute the two were.
As the oni and dog was talking rather animatedly, they failed to notice the two 'foxes' heading their way. Ayato and Yae both had their eyes on the two for a while and now that they were done with their earlier conversation, the foxes slowly made their way.
Itto was the first of the two to notice the incoming pair. With an overenthusiastic "Bro Ayato and Fox Lady!", he welcomed them both with a big hug for Ayato. Lumine had no doubt Itto would give the kitsune a hug too, but she was too fast to move out of the way. Lumine chuckled seeing how Gorou seemed to be trying to hide behind Itto's large frame but failed as Ayato engaged him for a conversation.
"That looks like a fun conversation," said a voice from beside Lumine.
Lumine nodded. Her eyes then widened upon realising that she knew the voice. Her head whipped around so fast she might have sprained her neck. Greeting her vision was a grinning ginger, one she thought she would not see for another stretch of time. Childe Tartaglia, the 11th Fatui Harbinger.
"What are you doing here? I thought you went back?"
Childe chuckled. "I was supposed to, yes, but business came up so I'm stuck here for another few days at most."
Maybe it was her joy from seeing all her friends interacting or maybe she was just a bit tipsy from exhaustion, Lumine threw her caution down the drain and leapt from her seat onto Childe. Luckily his reflexes was fast enough to catch her and steadied himself as he returned her hug. She buried her face on his chest, inhaling his scent. Somehow he always has that bit of ocean scent on him.
"You miss me that much, huh comrade," said Childe, a hand began caressing her hair while the other held her close. Though he tried to play it as a joke, Lumine could detect the fondness in his tone and that made her smile.
Lumine then slowly pushed herself away and out of Childe's embrace. Childe would have whined if not for Lumine entertwining their hands instead. She tugged at him to follow her as she started walking.
"Come on, lets meet Yoimiya and I'll introduce you to the others," she said.
Childe relented. Anything for the lady.
Yoimiya was happy to see Childe again. Paimon just huffed, especially when seeing the traveller and the harbinger's joined hands. Ayaka was as polite as ever, masking her distrust of the ginger. Sayu asked Childe for some advice on how to get taller. Kazuha, ever the pacifist, met the other man with a smile. Detective Heizhou, also all aware of Childe's identity, tried to pry some Fatui secret plans off him. Thoma, ever the nicest guy, greeted Childe as if they were old friends, brothers even. Gorou gave Childe a military-ish greeting, upon learning that Childe was a military man himself. Itto, being Itto, hugged Childe to his heart content. Ayato and Yae gave polite yet sly remarks regarding the relationship between Lumine and Childe which caused Lumine to be at loss for words. Childe, however, showed them his own foxy-ness, and Lumine could see that the two approved of him. They even invited him for a tea or two!
Some minutes later, as she sat on the cliff, overlooking the entire festival, seeing her friends playing together, she knew all will be well. Lumine conveyed her thoughts to the wind, in hope that it would reach Aether.
"Aether, I hope you can be here today, to witness all this hapiness. Alas, wherever you are, I hope you are well. I will find you and we will be together again."