Good Evening Traveler

Chapter Three: Ain't No Rest for the Wicked

"I'm going in," Xiao managed to release himself from Ayaka's grasp and hopped down the battlefield. The terrain of sand was flying throughout the air. Thankfully, it was no match for Xiao and his Anemo vision. Blowing it out of the way, he almost didn't notice Ayaka joining the battle as well. Her bright blue attacks caught the attention of Lumine, yet blended in with the humanoid. "Ayaka?! What are you doing here?!" She yelled.
"I'll explain to you after- just focus on the battle!"
The group fought the puppet master viciously. Xiao didn't care about himself, merely covering the traveler. Though he found himself often glancing at Lumine. She flipped through the air, having purple daggers practically shooting out of her sword. Suddenly, it appeared that some sort of electro sigil appeared above her. Followed by that was lighting striking the ground as if it were being summoned by the Raiden Shogun herself. Xiao wanted to know meow, but knew it would be for the worse. 

Finally, the Manguu Kenki fell down on defeat, their body disappearing into red ashes. Everything was at peace yet at the same time... not. The traveler took a sigh, and angrily turned toward Ayaka. "What are you doing here?! It's dangerous!" Lumine shouted. 

"Well...I was worried. And I also brought a friend of yours. We both are worried about you."
Lumine turned around and saw Xiao. She just grabbed her sword and went to claim the battles treasure. He simply scoffed and crossed his arms. "I appreciate the assistance, but I will be leaving to continue my commissions. The Marionette cores are likely already late. Good day you two!" Lumine put the cores in her bag and left the rest in the dust. Somehow, Xiao and Ayaka had the same idea and chased after her. "Please Lumine! Hear me out!" Ayaka cried, running as fast as she could without turning into a gust of cryo energy. Reluctantly, the traveler sighed and turned to face Ayaka, yet avoided Xiao. "...ok. Fine. Just tell me, what is it? I have to go back to my commissions soon! They don't finish themselves y'know!" Lumine shouted. 

"Well, that's just it. You've been working non-stop. You saved the entire land of Inazuma, assisted with festivals, represented the revolution by leading Swordfish II, and doing commissions every single day! Please, just take a rest!" 

Xiao raised one of his brows. He thought that the traveler would have rested within the time between Liyue (which. included the chasm) and Inazuma- or at least between the destruction of the Vision Hunt Decree and the upcoming journey to Sumeru. Instantly, he but in. "Traveler, is this true? Is Miss Kamisato correct?" 

"Well...somewhat..." 

"Yes or no?" 

Before Lumine could respond, she seemed to vanish into thin air. It must have been a teleport waypoint- Xiao had always wondered how to use those. Nevertheless, Ayaka wasted no time. "Lumine has presumably went to Inazuma city again. We can meet up with her at the adventures guild!" 

"Hm...I guess you can come up with a suitable plan after all. We're killing too much time. Move it." 

The two began to make their way back to Inazuma, and had just managed to catch up with the traveler. "Thank you for completing todays commissions, here is your reward!" Katheryne smiled, handing the traveler a small purple pouch with the adventures guild logo printed on the front. Before Lumine could walk away with her reward, Xiao seemed to teleport himself just behind her. "Miss Kamisato would like to speak with you," he muttered, walking a frustrated traveler back to Ayaka. 

"I am formally inviting you to stay at the Kamisato Estate. You will be resting. Your commissions can wait. Is that ok?" 

"No, it's not." 

"Well, I am afraid I have already arranged for you and the adeptus to stay at the Kamisato estate!" Ayaka smiled behind her fan, a light giggle escaping her mouth. Xiao wanted to say something in retaliation. He knew how important it was to get a job done, but he had to be a good example for Lumine. Just this once. He didn't know why, but he had to impress her. Why, was a mystery as curious as that of Jack the Ripper. "You will be resting, do you understand?" 

"I have commissions! I have quests! There is so much I have to do!" 

"You can complete those after  you get a good nights sleep." 

"Please Lumine, just this once? You'll be helping so many more by resting yourself!~" Ayaka smiled. Her sweetness finished the conversation as Lumine agreed. The now trio made their way to the Kamisato Estate, which sat gently on the hilltop. The waves from the beach below crashed against the rocks as the sun shone brightly above. Ayaka led the others inside, pointing to their rooms. 

"Xiao, you can have the room to the left, and Lumine, you can have the room to the right... Oh! I almost forgot? Where's Paimon?" 

"Paimon's here! Paimon's here!" Piamon shouted, flying swiftly. She almost ran into the screen ahead if it weren't held up by Thoma. Ayaka repeated the room settings for Pain before going on. "You are free to wander elsewhere, but please stay within the boundaries of the Kamisato estate. I wouldn't want Xiao to be trespassing on anyones land, now would I?"

Lumine nodded, and simply walked to her room. She emptied her bag, and did all of the standard things when setting up camp. Meanwhile, Xiao wasn't sure what to make of himself. Recalling his mission from Morax, would this be a good chance? No. It wouldn't be. It couldn't be. She's exhausted. Speaking with her would only add to the burden. Deciding it would be the best, Xiao just walked outside. Fresh air would do him some good. Ayaka was outside as well drinking some tea. "Oh! Mister Adeptus! Are you settling in ok?" she asked. 

"I don't need to settle in." 

"oh...Well, are you comfortable?" 

"...I've seen worse." 

"Wonderful! I also do have to thank you for assisting with the traveler. I do hope she can find a good way to rest yet still accomplish the amazing deeds she has done!" Ayaka sighed, taking another sip of her tea. 

"Hm. The traveler will be fine. She never disappoints," Xiao grumbled. 

Ayaka seemed to raise a brow, though hid it swiftly with a flick of her fan. "Please do your best to help the traveler. I don't have any reason to doubt you, but I know the travelers determination. If you do what you can, I will return the favor," she instructed. 

"I do not take orders from mortals. I will merely do what I see fit." 

"Well, then I sincerely hope that we can agree for the better!" 

Why was Ayaka being so...nice? he hadn't done to anything for her- in fact, she had only argued with him. How could you be friendly to someone you just met? Everything was off to Xiao. How could humans act like this? So many questions aligned like stars. But how would Xiao take care of the traveler through this? That was what he needed to know.