what do I see in you?

Chapter 1: you saw me where? (part 1)

Aether despises the idea of love. He learned that long ago when he was in search of his missing sibling. He doesn't want to get involve into something that's made out of love.

"I'm going out on a walk," Aether said to the team. Going somewhere alone to take a breather for all the burden and stress he's been carrying throughout his journey in Teyvat.

"Are you sure you don't want us accompanying you?" said by a team member and which Aether replied "yeah, I'll be fine."

He went on his own after he said goodbye and departed from his teammates; going to his favorite site, which is in Jueyun Karst, and watch the scenery to calm himself down.

He's been sitting there for longer than he anticipated; drowned by his own thoughts, trying to get it out of him.

Until he sensed an unusual feeling that somebody, or something, has been watching him from afar. Suddenly felt the urge to flee from the area to get himself to safety if anything happens.

Tomorrow came and the journey continues.

The day came out normal and boring--no activities and quests to do, no events coming up; basically just a normal day.

He decided to stroll around Liyue once again, thinking he could encounter something to break his boredom.

His teammamtes agreed and proceeded to take a walk throughout Liyue.

"I'm sure I could find something extraordinary while we're in here," Aether said trying to find his way out of boredom.

"Well, if you really want to, I found a place where we can hang out to!" Childe, replying to Aether trying to sense the mood of the room.

"Where? Your golden house?"

"What? No!"

The argument went on and got intense that he hadn't realize that the same feeling he felt at Jueyun Karst has came back once again.

..!

"Hold on," Aether said when he finally sensed it again.

"?" his teammates left bewildered.

"Come out, whoever, or whatever you are. I know you're in here." Aether said.

...

......

"A handful to talk to aye?" said in a bitter tone trying not to piss himself out.

"You heard the man. Come out." Childe supporting Aether as he's trying to contrast what's happening.

Despite all the call-out, nobody came to them.

And thinking that he's just been very drained lately and it was just his delusions playing tricks on him, and proceeded with the stroll.

"Not yet... not yet."

Aether walking in disbelief as on what he had encountered, not able to identify who or what it was. Thinking over and over again-

"Comrade!"

"H-huh-?!"

"You were so out of it. Was it because of that thing you sensed earlier?" Childe said confusingly to Aether as he tries to process it too.

"Yeah. It was about that. I just can't determine what that was," he replied.

"You don't have to worry about it. We're here to protect you if it comes to a time that it will hurt you." Zhongli, his teammate, told him reassurance of that strange encounter.

"Yeah... maybe you're right. Let's just call it a day." Came up to a conclusion so he can process it abit.

Another tomorrow came. Went out for a morning stroll once again. Until..

...

"... Huh-Hmmp..!"

His mouth covered in flesh coming from behind him; think he's been kidnapped and suffocated.

He got back his grip and suddenly-

"Who are you-"

"Kazuha?!"

"Hello traveler! A pleasure of meeting you once again." Kazuha said enthusiastically like he didn't do anything.

"What are you doing here-how did you get here??" Aether said in a concerned tone trying to process everything again.

"Not to worry about that! I came here because I brought you a gift!"

"What gift?"

"It's an antique gift I got from my patrol at Inazuma. I brought it here thinking you could make of use with it. Even though it's practically destroyed, I can depend on you to take care on that." He said to Aether as if he's trying to make a tactical transaction in replacement of something he's longing to get.

"Are you sure I can keep it?" Aether said concerning if it's from someone he stole.

"No, keep it. I have no place to put that thing in my responsibility."

"Now off you go! I don't want anything in return. Just take care of it!" He shouted drifting away slowly coming back to his ship to Inazuma.

As much as he can decipher what had just happened compared to his stalk encounter the past days, he just can't process anything at this point.

So, he just let out a sigh and continue with his day, trying to understand what the gift is all about.

"A... gift? That mortal brought him a present?"

...

Days have passed and he's starting to master the use of the gift with other people, finally coming across with someone he has 0 knowledge about.

"Wangshu Inn... This is the place. Who could be my next duet be?" He mumbled as he started entering the inn.

At his arrival, he saw nothing at the area. "Could this location be a mistake? Who should I du-"

"AHH!!" -paimon.