Good Evening Traveler

Chapter Twelve: The Feeling of Loov

"I've never had to use the word....Laev?"
"L-o-v-e," Lumine did her best to sound out each syllable, but Xiao reminded clueless. Xiao also continued to speak of his conversation with Ayaka. "I was curious as to what 'lave' is. Mortals often mention it at Wangshu Inn with much joy. Ayaka brings it up quite a bit, so I had to ask what it was."
"What did you learn?"
"Well...ugh...how did she put it?"
"Phrase it how you'd want to phrase it. If you don't understand, that's ok," Lumine smiled, and gently set her hand on top of his. Xiao could tell the tips of his ears were blushing ever so slightly, but he continued. "Whatever it is, the feeling you get when you experience...that... it's remarkable. It can make the world start and end at the same time. It feels like your life is in a poem, composed by the finest bards across Teyvat." Lumine seemed to be dreaming off and was caught off guard he finished.
"Oh! I'm sorry - you described it well. I'm not even sure of it myself!" She lied. Lumine actually knew what love was very well. It was how she felt when she was with Xiao. What else could it be? While their conversation continued, Lumine could deal herself drifting off into the past. To one of her favorite memories, that is.

It was the travelers birthday. Xiao had spend hours preparing the simple gift of Crystalfly cores designed into a hair clip and an amulet. Hopefully it would be a suitable gift for one as beautiful and remarkable as Lumine. Last year, she had been staying in Liyue Harbor. She didn't mean to, though stayed there anyway. Xiao had requested the traveler to go across the street from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. After all, the moral support of Zhongli (and the energy of Hu Tao) would likely do him good. It was almost sunset when Lumine arrived. Xiao had been waiting all day, trying his best to steer clear of the public eyes. Once he saw her, it was all thrown to the curb. "Good evening," He greeted, appearing right in-front of her. "Oh! Xiao! I was worried I would have missed you. I hope I'm not too late!" She cried, resisting the urge to hug the adeptus. "No need. I said you could have come whenever it was suitable for you, if you could find time in your schedule. I understand how busy someone of your status often is," He responded, crossing his arms. Despite the formality, Lumine kept smiling. "Well...uh...what made you want to meet?"
Xiao reached into his pocket and pulled out the Crystalfly gift, holding it out in his hand. "While I am not very fond of celebrating the day of one's birth, I gather that today is a special day for you. Take these. I made them myself. If you do not like them, feel free to do what you'd like. Crystalfly cores could sell for a decent amount of Mora if you're ever short," He explained, setting the gift in her palm. Instead of casting it away, Lumine imminently put the clip in her hair, across from the flowers that seemed to never die. As for the amulet, she put it around her neck. Under the little sunlight, they glimmered like jewels. "Thank you, Xiao," Lumine smiled. Before Xiao could respond in any way, Lumine had pulled him into a tight hug. Of course, he didn't know what this was. After all, homeboy hasn't got no bitches before. Thankfully Zhongli appeared infront of him from afar, giving a fatherly thumbs-up of approval. Xiao nervously copied Lumine by hugging her back, though was clearly quite skittish. Lumine wasn't. She just hugged Xiao tighter. Meanwhile, while Zhongli and Hu Tao were watching, Hu Tao began to clap. "Yay! Xiao has a girlfriend, Xiao has a girlfriend!~" She said in a sing-song tone. Zhongli sighed, and responded with, "I hope so. Though Xiao, as we know, is not one to be as bubbly as you are. Just...give him some time. He'll come around."
"I would sure hope so! Maybe if one of them dies early, we can throw a funeral! Half off during the month you first met!"
"I wouldn't be too sure of that deal, Director Hu."
Lumine was fighting to hold back tears. This was the first time she had spent her birthday without Aether. She hugged Xiao even tighter. If Aether was not around, she would gladly spend every moment with Xiao. There was something about his cold demeanor that made him more sweet. Whatever it was, Lumine was just glad to be in his arms.

Returning to the present, the waiter returned with their food. "One fresh rice cake soup, one tri-colored dango, and one fried tofu! Enjoy, and...er...Bon Appétit!" Thoma smiled, once more strutting like a supermodel on his way out. Xiao and Lumine began to eat their food before another conversation began. "So...people like that are getting paid? Why?" He asked.
"I don't know...he doesn't get paid to act like that, but he does get paid to serve tables. As long as he does his job, he gets paid!"
"Interesting. If I've been serving Morax for thousands of years without pay, do you think I'll get mora?" Xiao asked again, half joking. Lumine laughed and shrugged. After stuffing a piece of Dango in her mouth, she began to teach Xiao other 'moral customs.' Everything from "Never have I ever" to how to phrase things more casually (Xiao's attempt was "'Sup pizza slice?"). The two laughed the night away, and hardly noticed when the waiter returned to inform the two that Uyuu restaurant was closing for the night. Xiao led the traveler out, as she was still laughing and hugging his arm.

The two made their way back to the Kamisato estate, where Ayaka was outside waiting. She waved, and gestured for them to sit. "I won't keep you for long. How was your dinner? I apologize for leaving. I promise to make it up to you!" Neither of them spoke, just exchanged glances. "It was quite nice and peaceful. Is Paimon inside?"
"She just went to bed. I was going to follow her, but I wanted to see you get home safely. And seeing that you're here, I think I will be resigning to my room. Goodnight!" Ayaka smiled, waving to the two. As soon as she got inside, Xiao and Lumine looked at each other under the lanterns glow. The wind was blowing softly and freely. It was a perfect scene as Lumine managed to put a light kiss on Xiao's cheek. Before any of them could do anything about it, she ran inside as fast as she could. as Lumine got to her room, Ayaka high fived here, leaving Xiao out there by himself.