Chapter Text
She saw Katarina in Port Ormos this morning. The cicin mage from the Chasm. Or maybe someone who looked like her—she disappeared into the crowd before Lumine could get her attention.
Perhaps this world is getting to her. She's starting to see things. Or perhaps she fell into yet another dream without realising it.
She feels too angry for this lovely day, taking it out on a ruin drake. The sword clinks against the stupid heap of metal barely nicking it; Dendro isn't that good against it either. Any other time she'd consider it good exercise but now it's just making her more annoyed.
Nothing has been working the way it's supposed to for a very long time.
An arrow lodges into the robot's wing, incapacitating it, another swishes past, the third one destroys the other wing. She hears Dendro cores detonating inside as it falls apart.
"You should change your weapon," a familiar voice chides her from above.
"You should learn to leave people alone," Lumine retorts. In her opinion, dull swords have advantages against scrap metal.
"So cold... you could have at least pretended you are happy to see me."
She looks up. Childe is sitting on a tree branch, legs dangling. He doesn't look offended, grinning almost happily.
There's no obligation to be polite to him and it's refreshing. The unspoken contract weaved between human beings doesn't apply and Lumine gets to be herself—detached and coldly curious.
He desummons the bow and jumps down. His cheerfulness is contagious and Lumine can't help but smile too.
Mood aside, he doesn't seem to be looking very good. He often seems some brand of slightly tired but this looks like exhaustion. Foul Legacy? He shouldn't strain himself so much, she thinks.
When did she start to care?
"Should I be worried about the trouble you're causing?" she prods.
"I wish." Childe's expression is almost rueful. "No, just passing through."
"Pinkie promise?"
He lets out an awkward laugh, stretching out his hand. Lumine locks her finger with his—the soft leather of his glove is slightly cool to the touch. This is silly but perhaps silly is what she needs right now.
"I most solemnly swear I don't mean harm to anyone in Sumeru." He looks mischievous and serious at the same time, like a teenager.
He lingers a bit before lowering his arm.
"Comrade, would you fancy a spar?"
"Did you seek me out just for that?" Lumine laughs.
"Well... yeah."
Sun illuminates the mist in the air, making it seem almost opaline. In this light he looks positively angelic... would look, if not for the dead eyes.
"Or perhaps a dinner?" Childe continues, not getting an answer. "I have information to trade and you could tell me what's worth ordering here."
"Anything."
"Hm?" His eyebrows arch.
"Anything is worth ordering, it's Sumeru. You don't need my help for that."
She got carried away for a moment. She always does. Still, what Dottore did is still fresh in her memory, and she'd rather keep her distance from the Fatui. Almost a pity. They really could have been friends in different circumstances.
Childe frowns, studying her face.
"Just saying. You look like you could use a distraction."
"I will politely decline."
He shrugs.
"I'm here until tomorrow morning if you reconsider. Top floor of Jafar tavern, knock twice."
"There's a bigger ruin drake in a cave to the north, if you are interested," Lumine changes the topic.
"You are too kind." There's a dash of sarcasm in his voice.
She watches his back as he leaves, ornaments on his coat dingling in the wind. Paimon is normally supposed to help her seem nicer but she's hiding in her pocket dimension. Being around her hasn't been fun lately, even for Paimon. Perhaps she should have taken up on that spar offer.
Half an hour later Lumine finds a small pocket watch glittering in the river. She leans to pick it up.
It's of Fontainian design, old but well-cared for. She trails her fingers over the teal enamel and it opens with a click. Inside is a photograph of the person who just left surrounded by a trio of children. Strange, she thought the whole family was ginger.
Lumine looks around but Childe's long gone and calling out seems stupid.