XII

When Amber asked you to join her for some hilichurl camp cleaning out, you didn’t think much of it. The routine had been the same for a while now. Going down to Springvale, helping repair damages, cleaning out the camps that steadily creeped closer to the city and village. It was the same old same old and working with Amber wasn’t new either.

Amber was rather excitable and took her job very seriously, taking it upon herself to do the same as you and help others beyond the walls of the city. Because of that, you had run into her quite a few times and worked with her some. She was a good partner and clearly good with the people of Mond, calming them down and performing her tasks so enthusiastically that they couldn’t help but feel okay with her around.

So a request to help her with some hilichurl camps close to the paths leading to the city wasn’t something you thought too hard about before saying yes.

The two of you chatted as you traverse the dusty path, grumbling in annoyance when the wind kicked up and blew dirt back into your hair and eyes. When the winds grew stronger you had to hold down your flapping hair. A painful roar had your head snapping around to see Dvailn flying towards the woods, landing close to the area where you were going.

“Oh no! I didn’t think Stormterror would show up so close to where we’re going!” Her cheeks puffed as a look of displeasure crossed her face.

“Hey,” you tapped her arm. “Maybe we should go check it out.” Your voice was stilted, same as when you first met Venti.

You were with Amber. Going to clear a hilichurl camp. Dvalin showed up. Oh my God.

"Are you out of your mind!?" Amber's shrill voice snapped you back. "We can't confront such a dangerous creature! We'd die!"

"Amber, I appreciate your common sense, really I do, but I think we should check it out."

She tapped her foot, not unlike a thumping rabbit. "You're sure?"

You breathed out slowly, trying to keep your calm. "Yes. Call it a gut feeling or whatever, but I think we should be there."

"Okay," she placed her hands on her hips, and with a determined nod, was ready to be on her way. "Let's go."

The two of your speed walked, soon turning to sprinting as you heard a roar from what you could only assume was when the Traveler and Paimon startled Venti.

You and Amber made up on a small hill you thought might work to your advantage and allow you to see the retreating dragon. Outside of his attacks on Mond, you had only ever seen Dvalin through the game, and personally, you thought that was a damn shame.

Of course your first thought was to help Dvalin if you ever saw him, especially since you knew how too, but fuck if you didn't think his design was pretty (not to mention his human form fan arts). Seeing him, and now the Traveler now that you knew they were there, excited you.

But you and Amber only stood on that hill looking disappointed (you) and wary (her). It seems Dvalin had truly left.

A rustle from the left had you both snapping your heads to the side. Amber wasted no time jumping into the dusty path, a hand hanging near her bow, ready to snap it to attention at all times, and you followed soon after, landing right next to her in front of the protagonist pair.

And it seems you finally found out which twin you got.

Standing before you with a little pixie by his side was Aether, golden braid shimmering and windswept, clothes rustled no doubt from nearly being blown back into a tree by Dvalin, and eyes impossibly wide, staring at you and Amber in comic shock. He opened his mouth, presumably to ask 'what the fuck?' as any other would, but he was beaten by the Outrider.

"May the Anemo God protect you, stranger!" She placed a hand over her heart and gave them a warm look, though not quite a smile, you guessed she was still tense about the close encounter of Dvalin kind. "I am Amber, Outrider for the Knights of Favonious, and this is a friend of mine, [y/n]."

You waved at them, a similarly warm look on your face, yours with a smile, knowing you could trust them.

"You don't look like citizens of Mondstadt, explain yourselves!"

Paimon waved her hands saying that they weren't looking for trouble and you stood next to Amber, placing a hand on her tightened shoulder. "Give them a second to breathe, girl. I'm sure they'd be willing to answer your questions."

You caught Aether's eye and he smiled at you, a silent thanks for attempting to calm the overwhelming presence of determined Outrider.

"I'm Aether." His voice was smooth and delicate, a gentleness you knew contrasted greatly to how fierce he could be in battle.

"Doesn't sound like a local name to me." You huffed, amused at Amber's blatant suspicion. Despite how hard she tried sometimes, she could never get that slyness of Kaeya or stoniness of Diluc to cover the emotions riddling her voice. "And this… mascot, what's the deal with it?"

"Emergency food." His answer was quick and sharp and Paimon's outrage brought a barely there smirk to his youthful face.

"So to sum it up, your traveling partners right?" Amber relaxed slightly, no longer seeing them as a threat. "Well look, there's been a large dragon sighted around Mondstadt recently. Best you get inside the city as soon as possible."

"It's not far from here." You said, finally stepping into the conversation you were merely observing. "Mond's a short walk so we can escort ya no problem."

"Oh? Aren't you two out here for some other reason?" Ah right, the hilichurl camps. You were so caught up in Dvalin, Aether, and Paimon, you completely forgot you had an actual job to do. Thank you, better version of Paimon.

"We are. But don't worry, we can keep you both safe while doing so." Amber assured. "Besides, I'm still not sure I can trust you too just yet!"

Amber and Paimon bickered for a little while longer before you nudged Amber so the four of you could start on your way toward the hilichurl camp. It was nothing special, just a small camp to close for comfort to the city. It was practically routine at this point. Maybe you should start going against some tougher enemies to see some improvement.

It was cleared quick and easily. With Amber shooting precisely, Aether swinging his sword in beautiful arcs, and you smacking hilichurls with your new, and still underutilized compared to the others, greatsword, the camp was no problem.

"Heh," Amber giggled and you ruffled her hair. "Nothing to it! But I was shocked by your moves there, thanks for the backup. How'd it feel?"

"Those things are tougher than they look."

You took a swift glance over Aether's appearance, noticing the lack of sweat or heavy breathing. It looked as if he hadn't done anything at all.

"I'm sure you're just being modest." You noticed a slight blush as he turned his face away from you when you said that. Embarrassed easily wasn't he?

"Now that you mention it," Paimon started, placing a finger on her chin as if she was in deep thought. "How is it that the hilichurls ended up here?"

Amber explained the situation with Dvalin to the two travelers before insisting she take them to the city for safety. After Aether and Paimon agreed to head back to the city with you two, you all began your trek to the entrance.

You fell into step with Aether on the opposite side of where Paimon was floating like a little bodyguard. "Sorry if Amber overwhelmed you or anything. She can be quite boisterous and I noticed you looked a little shy."

Aether chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the nape of his neck. "It's okay. I was simply surprised to meet such an excitable girl, but she's nice and is enjoyable company. I appreciate the two of you escorting us to the city. The only direction I had was Paimon and that wasn't really getting us anywhere."

"Hey!" The fairy chirped. "Paimon is an excellent guide and if [y/n] was there, I'm sure they'd agree with me!"

"Oh yes," you said. "I'm sure I would've found you incredible." Paimon didn't seem to catch your light sarcasm, puffing her chest with a satisfied nod and hands on her hips, but Aether clearly did and he clamped a hand over his mouth to stop the amusement from leaking over and wilting the fairy's pride.

Harmless jabs were exchanged the rest of the walk, Amber joining in occasionally from her position leading the pack. Passing over the bridge, Timmie's birds flew away and you stopped Aether from getting trauma dumped on when he tried speaking to Timmie, speeding him along as Timmie angrily called put to him.

You waved his concern off, kind soul, saying that the birds come back in no time and there's no need to worry about it.

The four of you stepped into the city and the looks of wonder on Aether and Paimon’s faces were so adorable you felt like a granny wanting to pinch the cheeks of her grandkids.

Taking a deep breath you swallowed back that excitement of yours. The excitement of everything beginning.