Storm Unrelenting

Dragonspine Cocktail

"Paimon thinks we should head back now. This place is giving me the creeps..."

Aether and Paimon are in a cliffside cave in Dragonspine. One of the adventurers from the guild had commissioned them to go in his place to look for some notes that contains data on the region. He'd sustained a knee injury on his way down before realizing that his work had been left behind. He was insistent about it being collected as soon as possible since it had taken him a long time to put together. The harsh environment hadn't made it easy for him either.

"We can't leave just yet, Paimon. Those notes won't survive in the cold if we delay any further."

Paimon floats beside him nervously. "Ooooh, Paimon really wants to go... But you're right," she concedes. "We can't risk it— aand that adventurer promised us good Mora for this! Paimon can finally eat Sticky Honey Roast again, since you're so uptight about funds! Hmph!"

Aether chuckles at Paimon's complaint as they go uphill into the cave. Everything here is familiar terrain: the snow-covered ground, the ice sticking out from every corner, and the peculiar glowing grass unique to Dragonspine. This particular cave, however, is a place they've never explored before. For now, they'll simply follow the directions the adventurer gave them.

The cold bites at Aether's skin but he pays it no mind. After so many commissions on Dragonspine, he's slowly become used to the harsh climate. Strangely enough, even with so much of his skin exposed he seems to not mind the cold at all. Same goes to Paimon and her tiny body— though she does like to complain and much prefers the more pleasant climate of Mondstadt.

They finally reach the temporary camp the adventurer had set up during his data-collecting. There is a clump of burnt wood that has gone damp due to the cold and a small cooking pot hanging over it; inside it is what seems like the frozen remnants of his last soup before he left the camp.

"This looks like Goulash! Oooh, now Paimon's hungry..."

Aether sees a bag hanging from one of the wooden poles of the tent.

"I think these are the documents."

He looks inside the bag and sees the first page of the compilation: DRAGONSPINE AREA REPORT. He tucks it back inside and slings the bag strap around him. He tells Paimon to look around for anything else that might be useful to bring back just in case they're missing some items. There's no way for them to know if the contents of the bag are complete so they're just going to have to be thorough with their search.

"Paimon doesn't think there's anything else in here, Aether. This place is barren... Like my stomach right now."

On cue, Paimon's stomach grumbles.

Aether sighs. "Alright, I get it. Let's go back now. I think it might be getting dark."

They leave the camp and retrace their steps to the exit. That's when Aether feels a change in the air. Literally. The wind is starting to blow a little harder and, if possible, a little colder. He shivers as a particularly strong breeze whips at his face.

"Paimon's glad we found this stuff quickly, otherwise Paimon would have gone down the mountain without you!"

"We both know that's a lie, Paimon. You probably don't even remember the direction we came from." He shoots her a mischievous look, clearly enjoying riling her up.

She stomps her foot on air. "Hey! Paimon knows her way around! Paimon's the greatest guide in Teyvat! We've been together all this time and you still don't know that?!"

She floats faster ahead of him, clearly upset. Aether knows it won't last long so he lets her have a moment. They see the familiar opening of the cave and true to his predictions, the sky is already going dark.