With and Without You (AetherxAyaka)

Chapter One: Departure

(A/N: just a preface here. This IS an Aether x Ayaka story. I didn't forget that in this chapter, just a heads up for anyone who may think otherwise as they read this.

I'm just focusing on building characters)

Good byes were something he still wasn't particularly used to. Usually he never had to say good bye to the people of Monstadt or even Liyue. Even when he would leave those places, he could always return. He always had the option to see his friends when he pleased. Sometimes they even went on adventures with him.

Even when he did say good bye, it was nothing like he meant now. This kind of good bye was one that hinted of a long departure and possibly never returning.

But he had no choice. He needed to go to Inazuma and question the dictative Shogun of his sister's where abouts.

It's the only lead he has, it would be a shame to waste it now.

So he took sometime to say good bye to those he cared for deeply. From the citizens of Monstadt to the people of Liyue.

Some knew he was leaving before he announced it.

Venti and Zhongli both need not words to know where the traveler's next journey was to. Perhaps, it was because of their age as gods that gave them both wisdom.

Then again, Paimon would easily disagree at the thought of Venti and wisdom being used in the same sentence.

Jean had no problems with the Honorary Knight of Favonious pursuing he goals to reunite with his sister, Limunie, and to obtain all of the 7 elements. And in turn, all other knights and citizens respected Aether's decision to leave. Even if it means he will no longer be able: aid Lisa with past due books, Amber with her patrols, Eula with the Lawrence clan, or even Diluc at the Dawn Winery. The citizens understood the hole that would be created when Aether would leave for a period of time.

But, all of Monstadt understand what it meant to find his sister. That it meant everything to reunite with her.

Liyue was a similar experience.

Saying goodbye to some was harder to do than it was for others.

For someone like Qiqi it was as simple as:

"Paimon and I will be leaving for sometime Qiqi"

"Okay"

Paimon got frustrated by the simple response.

"He means we are leaving for a long time! Don't you have anything to say?"

Which Qiqi then stared for a mere minute before simply saying

"Goodbye."

And returning to her work at the pharmacy.

It was enough to make Xingling laugh, who was nice enough to cook Paimon her favorite food.

But for some others it was a little difficult to say good bye to.

Was it the bonds that he has built with those people?

Or was it that they needed him more than others?

Maybe it was the time he spent with them?

One of the hardest things to do was say goodbye to Ganyu.

When Aether often spoke to Lady Ningguang, she was troubled with how much time Ganyu spent in her office. As Ningguang's secretary, she obviously found this very valuable. But it raised concern for Ganyu's health and well being. A while ago, Lady Ningguang offload some of the paper work from Ganyu. From time to time Ganyu began to have more free time; coincidentally the Aether tended to be around when this happened.