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Chapter 33: Search continues

Following Aether Khoi walked behind him as they explored Sumeru. Having had met many characters along the way such as Tighnari and even met Collie who they discovered was a patient of Dottore. This only made the group angrier at the Harbinger as they finally arrived at the city. Upon entry they were given special earpieces and told to wear them. They did so and kept about their journey.

"No trace of mother anywhere" Khoi said as they kept walking.

"We still have much to look around" Aether said as they stopped and saw the busy marketplace. They seemed to be preparing for something.

"Paimon wonders what they are doing up there. It looks like a great stage" the child said.

"Hm. Whatever it is it's not helping" Aether said as Khoi agreed. "So far there's not about the Fatui."

"I suggest we split up for a while and cover more ground." Khoi said. "You and Paimon and I will go with Xiao"

"Lets meet back here in two hours then" Aether said as your son agreed. Turning into their directions they took off.

"Paimon is worried for Y/n" the child said she flew next to Aether "this Dottore guy sounds very scary."

"Don't worry Paimon." Aether said as they kept looking around "we will find her and bring her back. You'll see"

"Right!" She cheered happy.

Meanwhile Khoi was looking around he stopped spotting a certain small group in a familiar uniform. "Fatui.." he said as he and Xiao quickly took cover behind some boxes. Unfortunately for Khoi they were out of his earshot so he turned to his bodyguard. "Xiao listen in to their conversation. I know your hearing much more sharper than mine" he nodded and listened.

"There complaining how they should be in Snezhnaya helping defend thier lands but are stuck here.." Xiao relayed the conversation. "There all agreeing but one person that calling them idiots saying they should be glad to be here instead and help thier Harbinger prepare for the Fatuis biggest project."

"Harbinger!?" Khoi yelled in a whisper "is it.." he watched as Xiao was focusing. After a few seconds of silence he looked at Khoi and nodded confirming his suspicions. Peeking over the boxes Khoi spotted the group walk off.

"She's in Sumeru." Xiao said coming out of hiding as Khoi got up as well. "They say Dottore has her with him at all times in lab."

"In a lab.." Khoi felt his chest tighten. "We have to save her! Lets get Aether and Paimon and go quick!" Khoi yelled as Xiao followed right behind him.

*

You sat on the chair reading through some books on Sumeru. Brushing up on some it's history seeing you are unable to get up and leave at the moment. You had to time it right otherwise it's simply to risky. The lab was silent aside from the occasional sounds of pen writing on paper and liquids being mixed together. The glasses clinking against each other as Dottore carried on with his projects in the background. You focused on the book as you saw information that could be great of use to you.

For Dottore he was busying himself with his things. While the lab was silent it was oddly.. comfortable? He would glance over at you from time to time and noticed how focused you were in those history books. Normally he would be in his lab alone all the time and was able to do what he pleased but he had to admit it was rather a solitary lifestyle. He didn't even have a pet or anything to give him a type of company. Even now while all you did was sit there and read in silence he still found it to enjoyable. Glancing over at you again he found you looking at a page a smile on your face. Did you find something interesting? You seem happy to be reading that particular page. He was snapped back to reality hearing one of the beakers he was heating up start to boil as he quickly removed it from the flames. He hated to admit it. But it seems he was starting to enjoy your company.