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“Hmm the Balladeer? Is that food too? Huh..Weird name, though..” Aether stumbled back in shock at Paimon’s words.
She..she doesnt remember the balladeer? That must mean he actually pulled it off. But how did he have that ability? It doesn’t make sense. Even more concerning, what would happen to his friends? A sudden adrenaline fills him. Quickly heading towards Inazuma, allowing his concerned travel buddy to trail behind him.
The tension in the travellers shoulders relaxed mostly knowing that nothing has changed in the present. Except for one thing, that being the names ‘Balladeer’ and ‘Kabukimono’. They have been erased everywhere in books, novels, even ancient scripture. All gone. Like deleting information from a supercomputer database.
Aether didn't know what to do other than to come to the God of Wisdom herself for some assistance. They were pleasantly surprised when they found out Nahida had created the memory inside the palm of her hands, in the form of a fairytale surrounding cats and foxes. Although personally, Aether thinks that his former nemesis doesn’t resemble anything of a small and helpless kitten out of all things.
“So, if there is anyone in the world capable of retaining memories from a past that has been rewritten, it’s you.” Nahida says in exasperation. “It’s quite incredible when you think about it.”
“You can say that again.” The traveller says proudly. Thankful that the little archon is able to catch up quickly.
“Ugh, all this talking is making Paimon's head hurt. How about we go get something to eat? We can pick up this heavy conversation later.
Nahida giggles with a small hand clasped around her mouth. She then quickly interrupts Aether. Probably about to scold Paimon about her 3 stomachs.
“Not to worry, you two can go ahead. It is important to wait for the dark clouds to clear before fully allowing yourself to see the stars in the sky.”
/
After bidding farewell the two headed towards the stalls in the Grand Bazaar. Knowing Paimon only mentioned that place because zaetyun peaches were in season.
He felt relaxed at last, the past few days have been.. eventful. But it’s not something he isn’t used to. Suddenly a flash of blue went past him. Owner of it is the face of Scaramouche.
Wide eyed, Aether stared at the seemingly soft-spoken and kind hearted man talking to his boss with a face uncanny to a harbinger that had tried to take over Sumeru not even a week ago.
Paimon saw the Traveler with his shocked expression following his gaze to a man across them. She then turned to her friend, wiggling her eyebrows.
“Ooh, has someone caught your fancy?” She said teasingly.
“No!” Aether sharply turned to her. She clearly could not read the room. “That guy… is the balladeer.”
“He’s WHAT now?!”
/
Who knew it would come to this. The great hero of Teyvat is stalking a wanderer running errands. Not even a minute passed by until they were caught.
“You two over there, is there something I can help with?” The wanderer says with a soft tone.
A shiver went through Aether's spine unused to the calm persona on the balladeer's body.
He collected himself before fully walking into full view.
The Wanderer squinted his eyes looking at this golden haired man. Somehow, there was a familiar feeling to him. That cannot be good.
“Have we.. met before?”
Aether looked to the ground. How should he put this? “No we have not but I do know you.”
The indigo haired man tilted his head in confusion. And could only reply apologetically.
“I’m sorry but I can't seem to take your word for it.”
He sighs. Guess he has to pull out his wild card.
“I can prove it, you’re a puppet.”
Paimon and Wanderer were equally shocked. The man’s contemplative expression silently proved it to be true.
But he narrowed his eyes a little, seemingly taking the statement as a threat. “Strange of you to know that. That is not something I share with a lot of people.”
The golden haired chuckled nervously scratching the back of his head. He needs to take him to Nahida, maybe she could do something to turn everything completely back to normal.
“Well it is a long story, there is somewhere I need to take you.” He immediately regretted that. That sounded sketchy as fuck.
“Forgive me, but I have to refuse.” The puppet said, chuckling lightly. He continues to walk past the traveller, “I have much to do.”
“Wait!” Aether said, grabbing the wrist of the other. He racked his brain for an excuse but nothing came up. It is best to gain his trust for the time being. “Let me help you with those.”
Wanderer raised his eyebrows but he did not lash out like his old self would do. Instead he gave a sweet smile.
“Thank you.”
/
It took a while till the insistent merchant was able to convince the Wanderer to go. Because he was ‘too young’ and needed to ‘explore life. Ironic for those words to be directed to an immortal puppet.
Which brings them here walking into wilderness, setting up camp, and then sitting across from each other between the fire pit. Paimon slept tightly in the tent they had built. They could’ve just used the teapot to sleep in but that usually scares off newcomers. And Aether definitely doesn’t want that for his ‘new’ friend.
“Why… did you choose to come with me?”
It was an innocent question but he had to think about it for a while. But his sentence still went wobbly under his former enemy’s gaze.
“Well.. I- wanted you to get to know me since I already know you.”
It was a bad lie but the wanderer seems to take it.
“Oh I see.” Leaning his face in the palm of his hand. On the other hand, held grilled fish for both of them. (Paimon had eaten all the food Aether packed.)
“For a start, I believe you never gave me a name.”
Ah right, we have never met. “ It’s Aether.” He said embarrassed not to give a greeting in the first place.
“Aether..” Wanderer said, testing the sound of the name. It feels strange hearing it from that voice. Without being laced with any malice or manipulation involved. Guess it’s a good change.
“Well it’s a pleasure to meet you, Aether. Here, it’s dinner.”
A stick of grilled fish was gently placed on his hand. It looked perfectly cooked with good seasoning. It seems that he has been able to learn how to cook in this timeline.
They enjoyed dinner together in peace. When it was time for their bedtime the puppet had offered to stand guard. “Allow me to patrol outside. As you know I am a puppet, therefore I require no sleep.”
The blonde reluctantly agreed. Guilty of allowing the other to stand outside like some personal guard. But somehow he felt safer that way.
/
“Your eyes look like the stars, it’s pretty.”
Aether looks to the other in shock a faint blush sporting his cheeks
“H-huh?”
“Hehe, did I stutter pretty eyes?” The familiar tone, the knowing smirk which looked a tad bit softer set the traveller off. This is not the time to have an existential crisis.
“Thank you.” He said as steadily as possible. Looking down at what he is cooking hoping the fire would hide his blush.
It seems like the man is still able to target his weakness. Just..universally different methods.
Tonight he is cooking dinner. At first Aether thought to cook dango for the Wanderer thinking that the puppets tastebuds might be similar to his ‘mother’s’.
Apparently they seem to have very opposite tastes so the Traveller opted for radish soup instead.
This was to gain the man’s trust after all.
He couldn’t have trusted him enough to leave with him yet. Right?
But deep inside the traveller knew the truth why he is reluctant to have the Wanderer to regain his memories.
/
It’s been a month and six days since they first met, and three days since they last met.
The two travellers sat together overlooking the forest on a cliff. They exchange words as one is sitting upright, the other leaning on the other's shoulder. From an outsider's view the scene looked like a common sight of lovestruck lovers in Mondstadt.
Aether dismissed the thought and looked up from his position. He sees the Wanderer who is staring off at the distance beyond the luscious trees and flowers of Sumeru.
Worried, he breaks the ice. “What’s on your mind?”
“Do you… ever feel like nothing?”
Aether looked up leaving the comfort that is on the other's shoulder. “What do you mean?”
“Sorry.” Shaking his head to clear his thoughts. His hat jingles along with the movement. “I meant… Do you ever feel like you are just in a cycle? And each time you expect something different to happen but it never comes?”
Ah, he understands now. Without the balladeer or the kabukimono he is literally nothing but a plain sheet of paper. Guilt fills the Traveller. He should have brought Wanderer to Nahida as soon as he had the chance.
Judging by the silent reaction the other must’ve interpreted something else.
“Of course I didn’t mean you.” The other said reassuringly. “ ever since I met you… my days feel brighter. I stopped floating mindlessly ever since you changed my current.”
He then places his palm naturally on the other person's face. Caressing his left cheek. They stared for a while. Pools of deep violet meeting molten amber
Caught in the moment Aether closes his eyes expectantly. It took a while but he swore he felt air blowing on the surface of his lips for a few seconds before they connected.
They held each other lovingly until Aether came back to his senses. He can’t do this, he shouldn’t do this. He was meant to restore his memories. Not Kiss him!
He parted the kiss pushing the wanderer away with hands on his chest. “Shit..shit.” He whispered to himself. Standing up from their spot.
The puppet being inches close clearly heard his thoughts and looked at him anxiously. “Aether?”
“We can’t, this can’t happen, us.. we are, we were-“ he cut off his sentence when he spotted the other was shedding tears.
“We… can’t?” He looks up teary eyed.
Now that he had really seen it. Aether thinks he resembles a small kitten too much now. He couldn’t look away from the helpless glossy-eyed puppet. Immediately regretting his choice of words.
“No no no no..” he whispered gently, immediately crouching at level with the puppet. Holding his face with both hands. Brushing tears away with both thumbs. He is reluctant but the other deserves the truth.
“You see, I’ve known you for a long time.”
/
“You must be..” Nahida says gazing thoughtfully at the Dark haired man. They were back in the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
“You must be the one Aether was talking about talking about.”
“I do apologise for our sudden intrusion. You may call me Wanderer, or anything else if you please.” The man in question said. Placing his hand on his chest in a respectful manner. Clearly nervous facing an archon of wisdom like meeting the parent of a lover. What a funny sight.
“No no, it’s fine really.” The archon shook her head at the polite response. “You could say that I’ve been suspecting you for a long time now”
Aether shifted on his feet.
“So tell me.. why do you call yourself ‘Wanderer’?”
“To be honest it felt like the most fitting. Someone with no roots that permanently keeps me grounded. Just a stick flowing through the wind.”
“But Aether claimed that he knew me even before we had met a month ago. That I have a past unknown even to myself.”
Nahida glanced at him nervously. “I wouldn’t call it a past, rather” She thinks for a while. “A previous incarnation. Much farther than past life, cut so clean apart leaving no traces for you to even perceive it.”
“Okay, I must know.. what was I like in my previous incarnation?” He asked curiously
“Uhh…” everyone said in unison. Paimon dragging the h way farther than it should be.
“..O-oh okay I see.” the wanderer said in awkwardness. Looking down in shame.
“ You all want to tell me but you can’t bring yourselves to say it. Looks like I didn’t have the most wonderful existence in my previous incarnation.”
“We are just- thinking where to start..“ Aether sighed nervously in breaking the news to him, could this change the friendship between them? Could he even call him a friend?.
He stared back plainly back at the traveller. “If it’s that difficult to talk about then I have no doubt that it will be just as difficult to hear.”
“I’ll be able to handle it. Please tell me the truth.” He says pleadingly. With a face the traveller sees often during the short time of ‘gaining his trust’.
“Then.. I’ll give it straight to you.” Nahida says, intent to stay true to her word.
“In your previous incarnation. You did many things that would be considered evil.”
/
“It seems like my previous incarnation wasn’t the most likeable individual.” He said sadly.
Aether reached an arm to his shoulder. About to say words of comfort until Paimon beat him to it.
“Not to hurt your feelings or anything… But yeah, we weren't your biggest fans.”
Aether tried to hide his irk. Great job Paimon.
“What do you mean?” The wanderer said violet orbs staring intently at him.
He held his breath. He wanted the truth didn’t he?
“ We were each other's enemies.”
The other gasped audibly, and then subconsciously licked his lips. No one would understand the random gesture except for Aether. He knows.
“If we were enemies, why did you-” He thought a little. “Choose… to help me?”
“Ugh! This is a difficult situation!” Paimon shakes her head in distress. “How could this guy be the centre of all of those people’s demise?!”
The wanderer furrowed his eyebrows in worry. Turning back to the archon, “Lesser lord Kusanali, as the god of wisdom I trust that what you say is true.”
“It is indeed true, I can even show you the memories themselves. If you are willing.”
He opened his mouth and closed it. Looking over to Aether he asked hesitantly. “If I were to regain my memories.” He takes a deep breath, “Will I hate you?”
The Traveller glanced down at that. It’s a difficult question, he really isn’t sure how to answer.
But Wanderer continues.. “Will you hate me?”
“I won’t” Aether quickly snapped up urgently. He relaxes his nerves before speaking again. “I-I never did. But don't let my feelings affect your decision. It's your future..”
“Your feelings mean the most to me.” He smiles sweetly and then takes the Traveler's hand in both of his. Causing them to look intently at each other. “I love you after all..”
Before Aether could think of an answer there was an audible gasp below them. Nahida standing behind them with both hands in her mouth. Oh yeah, there's other people here.
They both separated equally embarrassed of their ‘public’ display.
“Please allow me to regain my memories.” The dark haired man said.
“Even if it may cause your present self mental anguish?”
“ I am just a puppet, this may be the only way for me to fill the void I feel, and maybe..” He steals a glance at Aether. “, accept the sins that can never be undone.”
“..Very well. As you wish.” Nahida replies worriedly.
/
Everything hurts
The more he reaches towards the light the farther down he goes
So he falls.
Decands.. And decades.. Hate and fury jabs at his brain
Slowly, the blank spaces fill up
Betrayal.
Family..
Keep the Gnosis.
Kill the Traveller.
He can’t stand those eyes.
‘Pretty eyes…’
“A- re you done now!?” A high pitched voice reaches his head.
And then a shrill in panic, “AETHER!”
Traveller? He’s in danger?
It felt like chains on his limbs finally snapped. Finally free of the heavy weight weighing him down. Like a gust of wind he blocked the attack of ‘shou no kamii’
That was headed towards the Traveller. It seems like he has to battle his past. Literally.
An Anemo vision descends from thin air. Seems like Celestia had graced him with a vision.
How bothersome..
He looks up at the robot with the same rage he has always had.
“Die.”
/
"Hey wait!, where are you going?” Aether yelled after the Balladeer? Wanderer? He doesn’t know anymore.
He had been silent since regaining his memories. Avoiding eye contact and dismissing Nahidas offers to help. Without bidding goodbye he plainly walked out of the Sanctuary of Surasthana leaving the Traveller to needlessly catch up.
The dark haired man stopped after taking a paces outside the doors. He turned to Aether making eye contact for the first time after gaining his memories.
“Traveller.. Why are you following me.”
“What do you mean?” the blond asked shocked, “You left without saying anything. How could you do that? You should let Nahida ant least look after you. She said-”
“I don’t care what she says.”
“What?” He asks.
“I am of no use to her nor you anymore. I am back to the man you hate most.”
“I didn’t say I hate you.”
“Travel-”
“Aether, it's Aether.” He says sternly. “I told you, I am not going back on you.”
“Oh?” The wanderer laughs cruelly at his words. “I see now, I'm just another weakling to you. Another poor civilian to save.”
“You are no-”
“Shut up.” The man interrupts, tipping his hat to hide his frustrated face and turns his back to the traveller. “I refuse to be part of your many pity projects, I can handle myself fine. Go save people who deserve it.”
A hand enclosed his wrist stopping him from going further. He turns around ready to speak his mind until he sees the Aethers pleading eyes.
“I love you too.”
Wanderer opened his mouth but it felt like sand sticking to his tounge. Denying any way for him to speak.
“I know this must be a late response.. But I want to prove that no matter-”
He reaches the Traveller’s face with both hands. Not allowing himself another second to overthink he connects their lips.
/
“Guys! Guys..? Nahida says that you two should be done arguing by now. Hello? Paimon can't see you two anywh- AHHH?!”