Chapter Text
It has been more than a month since Ayato last saw Aether. The Traveler had stated that he would enjoy a dinner at the Kamisato estate, though from what Ayato gathered, Aether had been rather preoccupied with other matters in Mondstadt and Liyue. In recent times, Ayato, too, has been preoccupied with preparing for the Irodori festival—both the festival itself, as well as his own little plan—but at present he has a moment to pen an invitation.
Well. A moment, Ayato had told himself, though he admits he's been sitting at his desk contemplating the empty letter before him longer than he would have liked. He is unsure how to best phrase the invitation. He allows himself another minute of turning over permutations in his mind before he sighs, rising from his desk.
He finds Ayaka in the garden practicing her forms. He waits for her to finish a sequence of movements, a graceful dance of bladework, before he calls to her. "Ayaka," he says, and his sister turns to him, blinking.
"Brother," she acknowledges. "Is something the matter?"
"I would like to personally invite Aether to the Irodori festival."
Ayaka brightens. "Oh! That sounds great!" She pauses. Blinks. "Are you having trouble writing the invitation?"
Ayato nods. "Given our last notable interaction, I do not feel that the standard 'you are cordially invited' would be the best approach. You are close with Aether, yes? Might you be willing to assist me?"
A soft smile effuses Ayaka's face, an expression he has slowly been becoming more familiar with, following his attempts to work with her more than adjacent to her. "Of course," she says, approaching. She dismisses her sword and approaches, taking a seat on the engawa. She pats the space next to her, and Ayato huffs but follows, seating himself next to her. She hums as he settles. "Do you have anything so far?" she asks.
"Written? No. I don't write until I am certain of the words I will put."
Ayaka nods. "And your thoughts?"
Ayato hums, casting his gaze across the garden. "Aether," he starts. "I hope you have been well. I would like to invite you to the Irodori Festival, which will take place in Inazuma starting in the next two weeks. It is a celebration of the Five Kasen, gifted singers and poetry writers of ancient Inazuma who brought a cultural revolution to our nation. It is not only the first major festival to be held in Inazuma since the lifting of the Sakoku Decree, it is also an event deeply rooted in culture and the arts. I hope that you might enjoy the festive atmosphere, and that we might converse again soon."
There is a pause. "Ayato," Ayaka says, voice tinged with something like amusement. "You already have the whole letter composed. What's wrong with it?"
"Mm. I wonder if it is too formal, too cold, or perhaps even too forward given the circumstances," Ayato says. "Any input would be appreciated."
Ayaka laughs lightly, shaking her head. "Whatever feels right to you would be best, I think. Aether loves all of us for who we are, because of who we are."
Love. What a strange thought. Ayato doesn't quite know how to feel about it.
"What you said just now sounded fine to me," Ayaka continues. "I'd write a different invitation, but that's because I'm me." She gives a mirthful look at him. "It's not like you to be worried about this sort of thing, Brother."
"Aether is something of a conundrum to me," Ayato says. "Unprecedented and unique. He has made his intention of befriending me clear, despite my attempt to eliminate him," Ayaka tenses slightly, though Ayato continues, "and I find myself… perhaps, hoping that I do not cause him further distress in the process."
Ayaka's gaze flicks to the sky. "It's not Aether you need to be worried about," she says. "To be entirely honest, I don't think you could make him hate you even if you tried."
Ayato lets out a soft exhale. "Indeed."
A nod, and Ayaka continues. "Are you aware that several of those you have invited are some of Aether's dearest friends?"
Ah. Hmm. "I presumed that Aether knows them. What 'dearest' entails, however, I am unsure."
Ayaka gives a stiff little smile. "Most of us agree that Albedo is the closest to him. He understands Aether more than the rest of us, I sense… and he can be quite scary in subtle ways. When you—" Ayaka looks away. "Albedo was one of the few that Aether let near, at first. And—his eyes spoke of something dangerous, even as his face remained unperturbed. I'm worried what he'll do if he finds you out, I admit."
Albedo… Kreideprinz, Chief Alchemist of Mondstadt, Captain of the Investigation Team of the Knights of Favonius. And of course, Calx, illustrator of one of the most popular works in Inazuma.
"Kazuha is also quite close with Aether, though in different ways," Ayaka continues. "He seems very gentle, but… he is the one who crossed blades with the Almighty Shogun. I'm sure with the right impetus, he might not be making your life easy, either."
"I see," Ayato says. "And I presume the bard and the author of the Legend of Sword know him as well?"
At this, a slight puzzlement enters Ayaka's features. "I've not interacted much with Venti myself, though I do know he is one that knows of Aether's abilities. He is… hmm. Flighty? Yet I feel that there is a deep care in his actions. As for, ah, Zhenyu?"
Ayato nods. "Xingqiu, of the Feiyun Commerce Guild. Zhenyu is merely his pen name."
"Right," Ayaka says, nodding. "I don't think he's privy to Aether's secrets. I've not seen him in the—where we usually meet."
Curious, that correction. Still, Ayato doesn't press—he merely hums, contemplative. While the depth of interpersonal connection Aether has with the international guests was not fully factored into the plans, it should not change much. He did expect them to be friends, after all.
"Thank you for your thoughts," Ayato says, standing up. "If you feel that the phrasing of that invitation is acceptable, then it shall be so."
"Of course, Brother," she says. A flicker of—worry?—crosses her face, and she stands, laying a hand on his arm. "Don't get into trouble, okay? To be honest, I don't think some of them are above murder."
Ayato laughs. "I can take care of myself, Ayaka. There have been many attempts on my life."
Ayaka closes her eyes for a moment, taking a breath. "I know. But I still worry."
Ayato pauses, taking a moment to pull Ayaka to his chest in a one-armed hug. "I won't do anything to antagonize them, Ayaka. I do hope they can have a good time at the festival."
"Regardless of your scheming, you mean?" Ayaka asks dryly, voice muffled.
Ayato lets out an amused huff. She doesn't know the nature of his plans, but she knows him well enough to know he is up to something. "Yes, regardless of my scheming."
Ayato finds Aether in the plaza along with Yae Miko a few days before the festival is to officially begin, after one of the Shuumatsuban informs him that Aether had arrived in Inazuma. Aether blinks upon catching Ayato's gaze—and then he smiles, waves.
Paimon, floating nearby, immediately puffs up with a look full of ire in her eyes. Wordlessly, Aether shoots her a look, and she crosses her arms. Aether sighs, a wry look on his face, before beckoning Ayato over. Yae watches the interaction with a sharpness in her gaze, eyes sliding over to Ayato.
Ayato allows the carefully blank mask on his face to soften into a different one, a small smile, as he approaches. "Hello, Aether," he greets. "Welcome. My apologies for not receiving you."
Aether shakes his head. "Don't worry about it. Yae commissioned me to help, so I came a bit early."
"Is that so?" Ayato turns to Yae and gives a slight bow. "Lady Yae. Perhaps these are the reliable helpers you mentioned?"
Yae smiles. "Indeed." She turns to Aether. "We'll be having you receive our guests, many of which I'm sure you know."
Aether nods. "I've talked with some of them—they've told me about their invitations. I'm looking forward to them seeing what Inazuma is like."
"And I am looking forward to showing them the culture of Inazuma as well," Ayato says. "Lady Yae has poured her heart and soul into the preparations, and it is my hope that their experience is an enjoyable one."
Yae laughs lightly. "You've put in just as much effort, haven't you? They should appreciate what you've done for them as well."
Ayato hums, smiling. "Preparing festivals falls under the Yashiro Commission's scope of responsibilities. I'm obliged to be equally dedicated as you, Lady Yae."
"Come now, Ayato," Yae says, "we're not strangers here. There's no need to sound so formal."
Ayato laughs. "In any case," he says, procuring a record of the arrival schedule from his Vision, "this is the arrival schedule." He hands it to Aether, who takes it. "Tomorrow will be the first arrival of concern to you, a ship from Mondstadt. Subsequent times will be found in the schedule."
Aether nods, looking over the record.
"Do you require a place to stay?" Ayato asks. "As I did invite you in a personal context, I feel it proper for me to invite you to the Kamisato estate. If you are amenable, of course. Alternatively, the Komore Teahouse will always have their doors open to you, or you could stay at the International Trade Association."
Aether pauses for a moment, a suspension in consideration. "I hadn't thought about it. I…" he frowns slightly, rolling up the arrival schedule and dismissing it in pale light. "I'd like to stay at the estate, if that's alright."
Before Ayato can respond, Yae speaks. "Are you quite sure about that, Aether?" She looks at Ayato, something heavy in her gaze, something piercing. Perhaps she already knows. "We would be happy to host you at the shrine if you prefer."
Aether shakes his head. "Thank you, but I'm okay. I do want to catch up with Ayato… and Thoma cooks pretty amazing meals," he says, quirking a smile.
Yae hums. "Alright then." Her gaze slides to Ayato. "Be sure he's well taken care of, hmm?"
Ayato smiles easily. "Of course. That was my intention from the start."
After Aether finishes talking with Yae, Ayato brings him to the Kamisato estate. Both Ayaka and Thoma are out, assisting with preparations—and their insistence at the assistance is what allows Ayato to accompany Aether now. Perhaps they wished to give them privacy… or, Ayato wonders, perhaps Aether had asked for it.
Ayato shows Aether a guest room the staff have prepared, equipped with a futon and various simple furnishings. After that, Aether asks if they can chat.
So here they are, sitting at a kotatsu with a tea set between them. They sit in silence for a prolonged moment before Ayato asks, "Have you been well?"
Aether hums, nodding. "I'd say so. There was an issue with ley lines in Mondstadt that I helped out with—that's probably the biggest thing, but I've helped with some other things in Mondstadt and Liyue."
"I see," Ayato says. He casts his gaze upon his tea, seeing his reflection on the surface. "What drives you to be so… helpful? You seem to go out of your way to make the lives of most everyone around you easier."
Aether huffs. "My twin always said I was too softhearted. I just… want things to be better. Why not try?"
"It expends your time and energy," Ayato says. "It causes you distress. Anger, sadness, despair, loss. You let yourself be drawn into situations that will take from you more than you first intended to give, yet you continue to do so. That, I do not understand."
Aether's gaze goes distant. After a few seconds, he answers. "My suffering is but a drop in a sea. A speck of stardust in the vastness of a universe. But for all of you, that moment—it can change the course of your life for your brief forever, for the better." He closes his eyes. "I am everything and nothing. There is no end to me, so if I want to give my time, my effort—I will."
"I don't believe that," Ayato says. "Your mind does not reflect that vastness now, does it? You made yourself human. You chose to be human."
Aether huffs, opening his eyes again. "The truth is that I'm not, Ayato, and that's okay. I am what I am, and thanks to that, I can change things. And…" He sighs, straightening and looking at Ayato with something that almost seems fond. "How could I not try, when I know you all, when I can be you all? How could I not cherish you, your story, your fate—how could I not reach for that glimmering light," he says, reaching towards Ayato's chest, "and try to make it shine as bright as it can?"
Aether's golden gaze pierces him, and Ayato looks away. "We will find a way, with or without you," Ayato says. "That is the way it has always been."
"I know," Aether says, lowering his hand. "But I want to help. So, let me."
Ayato laughs, sighs, an exhale either way. "How could I refuse?" He shakes his head. "My apologies. I do not mean to interrogate you."
"It's okay," Aether says. "You want to understand. I get it." Aether props an elbow on the kotatsu, tracing the patterns in the wood with his other hand. "I've used your form quite a bit, after… you know. I wanted to understand you, too."
Ayato meets Aether's eyes again. "Quite an unfair advantage you have. And do you think you do, now?"
"I'd like to think so," Aether says. He smiles, fond again. "You're planning something, aren't you?"
Ayato hums. "And what makes you say that?"
"You like to solve problems, and there are always several problems to solve. The festival seems like a good opportunity to get several things accomplished at once, especially with… all sorts of people coming around." Aether pauses. "And you also like messing with people a bit."
Ayato chuckles. "I suppose you are not incorrect. I assure you it's nothing malicious this time, however."
Aether huffs. "I figured not, but it's good to hear you say it. I haven't mentioned anything to my friends since I don't know exactly what you're planning, though."
Ah, yes. "Your friends," Ayato echoes. "Ayaka had informed me that a few are quite dear to you. Albedo of Mondstadt and Kaedehara Kazuha in particular, she noted."
"Mm," Aether hums, closing his eyes. "I haven't told them, but they'll probably figure out it was you that time. My hope is just that they can get to know you a bit before they figure it out, and then… well, hopefully they don't hate you for it."
"I wouldn't blame them if they did," Ayato says. "Regardless of what occurs, I will make do. As I always have."
"Yeah," Aether says, "but still. I'd like it if you all could be friends. Not that I'm expecting it, of course—but I would like it."
"I would not consider myself an amiable sort, beyond a surface-level geniality. Do not expect much of me… and we shall see what comes, regardless."
Aether hums. "Fair enough."
"What is your plan for the rest of today?" Ayato asks. "Thoma will likely return within the hour if you would like to partake of dinner."
"And I'd be happy to join," Aether says, smiling. "As for other plans…" He shrugs. "I might just relax, honestly. Take some time to sort things out," he says, tapping his head.
Aether had mentioned something about that in their last conversation—needing time to mentally and metaphysically organize all those facets of being within him. Ayato tilts his head. "Would you like me to tell the staff to give your room a wide berth, in case you would like to take other forms?"
Aether pauses. "I—huh. Yeah, that would be great, actually."
"Alright," Ayato says, standing up. "Then I shall leave you be for now. Let us reconvene at dinner."
Aether nods. "Okay. See you later."
Dinner is surprisingly unremarkable, or perhaps remarkable in its ordinary atmosphere. Ayaka, Thoma, and Aether are evidently quite comfortable with each other, carrying the conversation with ease. Ayaka and Thoma sit on one side of the table, while Ayato sits on the other side next to Aether. Paimon floats by Aether on his other side, enamored enough by the food that her sour demeanor towards Ayato is largely negligible.
It is clear that they encounter each other with some amount of frequency, as they don't seem to require much catching up beyond the day itself.
"Aether," Ayaka says as they start eating, "are your arrangements in the estate acceptable? Are you comfortable here?"
"I am," Aether assures with an easy smile. Ayato would doubt only the words, yet Aether's body language is relaxed, and he senses no lie. "Thank you for hosting me, and treating me and Paimon to dinner."
"Of course," Thoma says. "It's the least we could do, really. Is the food alright?"
"Thoma's cooking is the best!" Paimon declares, in the midst of inhaling an entire serving of Thoma's specialty soup. Ayato is almost impressed. He truly wonders what manner of creature she is.
"You say that about everyone who cooks for you," Aether says dryly, though amusement colors his voice. "But really," he says, ignoring Paimon's hey, "it's delicious. Thank you."
Thoma smiles, warm. "It's my pleasure, really."
"Will you be staying at the estate over the entirety of the festival?" Ayaka asks.
"Yes, if that's alright with you all?" Aether asks in turn, though he glances particularly at Ayato.
"We'll be glad to host you for as long as you are comfortable," Ayato says. "Beyond the festival, you are welcome as well."
"Okay," Aether says. "Thank you." He turns to Ayaka and Thoma. "I know Ayato will be busy with a lot of festival business—and the two of you will be helping out too, right?"
Ayaka nods. "We'll be helping prepare and run parts of the festival. Thoma and I will be very busy the first few days, so you may not see much of us."
"We wanted to take on some of Ayato's work, too," Thoma says. "Give him a bit more free time before the start of the festival so that he and you can have more time to… well, talk things over. Luckily, he agreed!"
"Huh," Aether says, looking at Ayato. "I'll admit, I am a bit surprised you did." He smiles. "You do want to change, huh?"
"I do," Ayato says, nodding. "It will take time. But… I have been convinced that this is for the better."
"I don't think Brother will ever stop scheming," Ayaka says wryly. "Still, he's been letting us in, a little at a time." She looks at Ayato with warmth in her eyes. "I'm glad for it."
Ayato smiles back. Perhaps it's still a mask—but perhaps it does feel more natural than usual.
They continue their conversations over dinner. Ayato finds himself drawn in with relative ease, feeling no pressure to engage, but having the space to do so if he wishes. It is, he can admit, an enjoyable dinner.