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Sandrone scoffed, snapping her head away from the blonde haired traveller in disdain. Her hair strands whipping along with it. Her eyes narrowed as she sat atop her figurative high horse. Pulonia held her in his palm. As always, the automaton showed no emotion.
“Really? A favor, from me?” Sandrone said haughtily, as if the mere conversation was beneath her. “Come on! We saved you! We at least deserve this much!” Paimon stamped her foot, not hitting the ground, almost miming the motion.
“I didn't ask for you to save me.” Sandrone rolled her wrist lazily as she spoke. “You did that all on your own.”
Lumine narrowed her eyes, “I need you to answer a question.” Lumine stated. Sandrone paused, “A question? You wish for me to answer a simple question?” She scoffed. “Yeah! Answer our questions!” Paimon demanded.
Sandrone rolled her eyes, “That's all you want? I figured you would have wanted more. More power, or wisdom-” Sandrone suggested. Lumine shook her head, “No. You answer my question.” Lumine interrupted, cutting this off before it got too long.
Sandrone shook her head, “Impatient, aren't we?” She said smugly. “Fine. Though I cannot promise my answers will satisfy you.”
Lumine paused, considering her words before speaking. The Fatui knew not of her brother- or the thing that was masquerading as her brother. So, she ventured a different route. “You said you weren't the one who wanted the relic from the frostmoon scions.” Lumine stated. Sandrone nodded, “True. I never held any interest in that old thing.” She said,
“Then who wanted it?” Lumine asked. Sandrone paused, “Oh, that would be Dottore.” She stated plainly. Paimon recoiled, “Dottore!? He's in Nod Krai too?!” Paimon gasped, her little body propelling itself backwards in shock.
Sandrone rolled her eyes, “Yes. Keep up.” She snapped her fingers. “Though- im quite certain that the relic isn't his main reason he decided to come along.” Sandrone deduced. Lumine paused, “What do you mean?” She asked, stepping forward. Sandrone laughed, "I'm sorry, you've used up your one question.” She reminded them. “But Paimon hasn't used hers!” The floating creature said.
Sandrone froze, letting out a loud groan. “Ugh, fine. Your question is?” Sandrone knew what it was going to ask, but she felt the need to ask regardless. “Then why is he really here?” Paimon asked curiously.
Sandrone reached into Pulonia's pocket, pulling out a small printed picture that looked to be taken through a Kamera lens. “Dottore has become obsessed with finding an old colleague of his again. However, she seems to have dropped off the face of the earth.” Sandrone explained, handing Lumine the photo. It was crinkled, clearly from an older Kamera model with worse quality. A Woman with messy and tangled white hair, and bright red eyes, and yet despite their hue they looked dead, like any life had fled from the woman in fear. Her skin was pale like a corpse. And despite that- she was smiling, it was unnerving. Everything about the picture felt wrong.
“There have been sightings of somebody fitting her description here in Nod Krai, specifically in Nasha town.” Sandrone explained. Paimon paused, “Y’know, Paimon didn't take you for the type to listen to your colleagues!” She hummed, trying to compliment her. Sandrone shook her head, “I don't. He just rants and raves so much it's hard to not pick up a little bit of what he's saying.” She explained.
“Why do you think he wants her?” Lumine asked, her fingers crinkling the edge of the photograph. “Honestly, I'm assuming it has to do with her work regarding necromancy.” Sandrone guessed. Paimon screeched, “Necromancy!? She can make zombies!?”
Sandrone scowled, "Don't be absurd. That's foolish. From what I remember, she studied the art of re-animation. And before she went missing, she succeeded. The first mortal to reanimate a corpse along with its mind.” sandrone elaborated. Lumine hummed, “Why has he become so obsessed..?” She muttered to herself.
“Beats me.” Sandrone shrugged. “Plus, even if I did know. I wouldn't tell you, you've used up your questions.” She reminded them. “Now we're even.” Sandrone said, spitting out the words like they tasted repugnant. Sandrone commanded Pulonia to take her away. Leaving Lumine and Paimon to discuss the implications of the newfound knowledge.
“Do you think Dottore wants to bring someone back from the dead?” Paimon asked. Lumine pursed her lips. “Who knows. That guy is hard to read.” Lumine said. Paimon whined, “What if he wants to use it to do something bad!” She worried. Lumine gripped onto the photograph, “Which is why we're going to look for her.” She said, Paimon paused, “Really? But what if she’s crazy? Or tries to kill us? Or kills us then brings us back!?” Paimon cowered behind Lumine.
Lumine sighed, “Well, that's a risk I'm willing to take. The last thing we need is the Fatui becoming more powerful.” She reasoned.
After talking with Sandrone, the duo took the trek back to Nasha town. Making idle conversation about what to do. “Why are you so interested in her?” Paimon asked. Clearly a bit confused. This didn't have anything to do with finding Aether as far as she could tell.
Lumine sighed, “She knows Dottore, supposedly. Maybe she could help us. After all, he knows so much… maybe…” Lumine whispered. She knew she was grasping at straws, her desperation building, and she wasn't sure how long the dam would hold before it came rushing out.
“Im so much closer to finding him than I've ever been, Paimon. I can't afford to slow down.” She spoke. Paimon frowned, clearly worried about the girl's mental health.
“Lumine…” She muttered, lagging behind her.
Lumine and Paimon stepped back into Nasha town, friendly waves sent in their direction. Lumine looked down at the photo Sandrone had given them. “We might as well ask around.” She said, heading up to one of the shops.
“Excuse me?” Lumine called, grabbing the shopkeepers attention. “Yes?” they responded, pausing their current task to turn to her. “Have you seen anyone like this?” She handed them the picture. The shopkeeper eyed the photo intently, as if a machine scanning for any discrepancies. “I can't say I have.” They sighed, "I'll let you know if I do.” They assured Lumine.
Lumine nodded, walking off to the next shop. Paimon whined, Were gonna be here forever!
* * *
“No, I'm sorry.” Lumine pursed her lips, holding the photo closer to her chest. “Lumine— please, we've been to over fifty shops!” Paimon whined. Nobody recognized the woman in the photo.
Lumine sighed, “not all of them.” She said, walking off once again. Paimon sputtered, “You could at least brief Paimon!”
Lumine walked into the upper section of Nasha town, her heels clanging against the hollow metal of the stairs. She stopped in front of an ornate door, opening it up and greeted by the familiar stench of jasmine incense. She stepped inside, Paimon floating behind her.
“Lumine!” Jahoda’s familiar enthusiastic call welcomed them inside. “What are you doing here?” She asked, walking up to the duo.
“Im actually here for some information.” She said. Jahoda blinked, “Huh, that's new.” She observed. Usually Lumine just comes over to help us out…
“Well, you know the policy. Information isn't free.” Jahoda sighed. Lumine nodded, "That's alright.”
Lumine gave the photo to Jahoda. “Do you know anything about the woman in this photo?” She asked. Jahoda hummed, taking a closer look at the photo.
“I can't say I—”
“Jahoda.”
“Eep!”
Nefer's commanding voice rang through the curatorium. She stood behind Jahoda ominously, tapping her forearm as she glowered. “Shouldnt you be out on your assignment?” She asked.
“Well— uh, I was on my way out! B-but the traveller distracted me!” She shifted blame. Paimon gasped, "Don't blame this on us Jahoda!”
Nefer sighed, “Traveller, just what are you here for?” She asked. Lumine pointed to the photo in Jahoda’s hands. “Im looking for the woman in that photo.”
Nefer looked to Jahoda, gesturing for her to hand the photo over. Jahoda did as she was told. Handing it over.
Nefer inspected the photo, smiling. “So let me get this straight, you've been going around Nasha town, asking for this woman?” She asked. Lumine nodded.
Nefer laughed, "I'm afraid you're asking all the wrong questions. You won't be able to find her if you ask for her directly.” Nefer explained.
“Wha— then how do we find her!?” Paimon huffed. Nefer grinned, “That information will cost you.”
Lumine sighed, digging through her pockets and presenting Nefer with a pouch of Mora. Nefer sighed, “I suppose I could give you a discount.” She said, taking the whole bag. Lumine sighed, Just how much were you planning on charging me?
“The woman in that picture was seen once, one year ago, looking for a place to stay. Ever since then, it's been radio silence. She completely disappeared.” Nefer explained. “Most people have completely forgotten she was ever here in the first place.”
“But— there's a way to find her. She has to get supplies, food, water, you know, things she needs to live. So, she sends her little assistant out to get them. If you find them, then you'll find her.” Nefer explained. “But what does her assistant look like?” Paimon asked.
Nefer turned to Jahoda, “Jahoda’s seen them quite a few times. I'm sure she could enlighten you.” Nefer said. Jahoda blinked, “who?”
Nefer sighed, “you remember them. The creepy little girl?” Nerf tried to track their memory.
Jahoda’s eyes sparked with recognition. “Oh! Her!” She hummed. “Little, id say she comes up to here on me.” She pointed to her chest. “Shes really small in general, skinny, and super quiet. She's got the messiest blue hair I've ever seen, and blue eyes.” Jahoda described.
“But if you really want to find her, ask people about the girl with the patchwork skin, that's definitely what I remember about her.” Jahoda finished. Paimon flinched, “patchwork skin!?”
Lumine hummed, thinking back to what Sandrone said—
“—And before she went missing, she succeeded. The first mortal to reanimate a corpse along with its mind.”
Was this girl the re-animated corpse? “Well, I wish you luck in your search.” Nefer hummed. “Now go on Jahoda.” She ordered. Jahoda nodded, bolting out the door.
Lumine followed after her, but much more calmly. But before she could leave, Nefer called after her. “Why are you looking for that woman in the first place?”
Lumine sighed, “She might have information on my brother.” Nefer's eyes narrowed, “A word of warning: That woman doesn't do anything without a reason. And those reasons rarely benefit the people around her.”
Lumine nodded, leaving the building.
“Well, we should get looking—” Lumine sighed, walking down the stairs, though her train of thought was interrupted when she saw a small figure duck under the awning of a nearby establishment.
Lumine walked quicker, turning the corner and spotting a small girl, messy blue hair, pale skin, wearing an extremely oversized winter coat with odd looking shoes.
She was just barely looking over the counter. Lumine walked closer, and her suspicions were confirmed when she caught sight of her face, pale blue eyes and a large line running across her face.
“Beans.” she said, her voice small and raspy, like it had been sent through a blender. The cashier laughed, “Canned or bagged?” They asked. The girl froze, almost short circuiting. She looked down at a piece of paper in her hand, scanning the list. “Just beans.” she attempted to specify.
The shopkeeper nervously laughed, choosing canned beans for her and putting them in the little bag she had brought. “Anything else?” they asked. The girl shook her head, “Nuh-uh.”
“Have a good day, little miss.” The shopkeeper waved. As soon as she turned around, she ran straight into Lumine, falling backwards onto her butt.
Lumine was a bit perturbed when she saw her face fully. The child has a suspicious resemblance to the very Doctor who had started them on this goose chase.
Lumine helped the girl up, she looked up at the blonde haired traveller. “Thank you.”
Lumine blinked, “You…?” She finished for her. The girl pointed at herself, “Me.” She repeated. Lumine was even more confused.
“Say, do you happen to know a lady who looks like this?” Lumine asked, presenting the photo. She nodded, “Mhmm.”
“Could you take us to her?”
The girl stiffened, “Miss Kaivendritch says no visitors.” she listed. Lumine sighed, well I know her name now.
“Its important.” Lumine insisted. “Im looking for my brother.”
The girl blinked, “What's a, bro…ther?” She asked. Lumine could not believe this. What child this age doesn't know what a brother is???
“A brother is someone you're related to. You care about them, and they care about you.” Lumine tried to explain, not really ready for any of this. “Care…” The girl muttered, clearly in thought. Her small hand grabbed Lumines, it was frigid. “Follow.” She instructed. Lumine, not wanting to lose the lead, nodded. Following the surprisingly quick little girl through the streets of Nasha town.
Paimon, who was still extremely confused by all of this, floated up to her. “Hey, what's your name?” She asked curiously. The girl lit up, “S-Siffrin!” She excitedly said, clearly elated at the question. Paimon blinked, I never thought somebody could get so excited over something that simple.
Siffrin kept walking, eventually stopping at a gap in between two metal structures. She grabbed something off of her coat, a cryo moonwheel. She gently placed it on the wall, causing her to— phase through. Paimon jumped back, “Heh!?”
The girl's head phased back through, “Follow.” She repeated. Lumine reluctantly nodded, stepping through the illusion. Once Paimon and Lumine had entered, the girl pressed the moonwheel to the door, slowly returning it to its solid state.
The room was dark, the only light a distant one down a set of odd looking stairs. “Follow.” she repeated for the third time. Walking down the stairs. Lumine followed, growing more and more concerned by the moment.
Siffrin hopped off the steps, running into the room ahead of Lumine.
“Alyona! Alyona!” she called. Running up to a disheveled woman at a desk. “Siffrin? You're back early.” she hummed, looking in the bag and frowning, “Because you didn't get everything.” She grumbled.
“Nuh-uh! Look, visitor!” she smiled. Alyona groaned, “Siffrin, I told you, no visitors.”
“But she's looking for… for…” She paused, forgetting the word. “Something!”
Alyona dragged her hands down her face, “Oh for the love of— come out!” She ordered.
Lumine and Paimon peaked out from behind the corner. There she was. The woman in the picture. Though she looked more alive. Hair less hazardous, eyes more lively. Well— one of them was, the other was covered up by a blindfold.
The woman's eyes sparked with recognition, "You're the traveller!” She mused, petting Siffrin's head. “If you're here on commission to collect my taxes I have very bad news for you.”
Lumine blinked, “what? No. I… I heard about you from Sandrone.” She said, Alyona paused, “Ah, Sandrone… What a colossal bit—” She paused, looking at Siffrin, “—bird, a colossal bird.”
She got up from her chair, “Well, what do you want?” She asked. “My brother, do you know anything about him?” she asked. Alyona paused, “Ah, so that's what you're looking for.”
“Ive heard of your escapades, but I regret to inform you that I don't concern myself with the abyss all that much.” She sighed. “Im afraid I won't be of much help.”
Lumine visibly deflated, “I was worried that's what you were going to say…”
The woman narrowed her eyebrows, “Well… you can ask me something else? I'm not doing much at the moment.” She offered, feeling a little bad. An emotion Alyona was not used to feeling.
“How do you know the Doctor?” Lumine asked. Alyona grumbled, “Ah, the basket case. We used to work together. But we disagreed on a very specific project. Even to the end, he insisted that he was right. So I packed up and left, taking my project with me. I figured Nod Krai would be a good place to go, it's rather removed from Teyvats politics. If I knew about the Fatui occupation I would not have attended.” She grumbled.
“You ran away from the doctor!?” Paimon blanched. Alyona nodded, “Mhmm.” clearly unperturbed.
“Hes looking for you.” Lumine blurted out. Alyona stiffened, “Pardon?” she asked, her voice rigid as opposed to her earlier cadence.
“Hes in Nod Krai right now, he's looking for you.” Lumine repeated. Alyona let out a small breath, “Do you have any real basis for this? Or is this all conjecture?” She asked.
“Sandrone told us!” Paimon budded in. Alyona’s nails dug into the table. She had never known Sandrone to be a liar.
“Well. I have an offer to make you.” Alyona said. “I don't want Siffrin going out if Fatui is currently on the lookout for me. So, if you two could pick up supplies for me semi-regularly, it would be appreciated.” She explained, clearly not happy at this turn of events.
“I'll give you a key to the door, obviously.”
Paimon paused, “Why can't Siffrin go out? Aren't they just looking for you?” She asked. Alyona stiffened, looking at the little girl, “if they're looking for me, then they're likely looking for Siffrin through me.” She explained.
Just what about that little girl is so important?
“Il pay you well.” Alyona assured Lumine. Lumine sighed, “Fine. A commission's a commission. But I have one last question.”
“Ask away.”
“Just what is Siffrin?” She asked.
Siffrin looked up from her spot on the floor, where she had been playing with loose metal scrap. “Siffrin is…” Alyona trailed off. Siffrin beamed, “Siffrin is Miss Alyona’s best friend!” She giggled.
Alyona laughed, “Sure, let's go with that.”
Lumine looked at the two, there was clearly more to this than both were letting on. But Lumine wasn't sure if Siffrin was even aware of the secret. The girl seemed just as in the dark as Paimon and her did.
“You also need to promise me that you’ll help me.” Lumine said. Alyona hummed, “With your brother, yes? I suppose I could try. Though I feel it necessary to remind you that there's no guarantee my efforts will amount to much at all.” Alyona reminded her.
“Those who seek the abyss rarely ever desire to be found."