The door closed softly behind them.
Once inside the room, alone only Lumine and Paimon at last, neither of them spoke for a moment.
Lumine stood near the window, watching the wind stir the curtains in slow, careful waves. Mondstadt lay below whole, intact, calm peaceful. As if the storm or Stormterror had never touched it. Paimon floated closer to her after a few moments of pleasant peace and quiet.
>>"Lumine...? You know..."<<
Paimon began carefully and gentle her voice softer than usual.
>>"Paimon was really scared back there. It was exciting but also amazing! You were so heroic!"<<
Lumine turned to Paimon with a small, knowing smile, clearly finding Paimon's enthusiasm endearing and her worrying for her.
>>"You flew straight at that dragon!"<<
Paimon continued, drifting excitedly in the air.
>>"You didn't even hesitate! When the wind pushed us apart, Paimon thought... well... Paimon thought maybe Paimon lost you. That we'd be separated and have to find each other again!"<<
Lumine's expression softened. She stepped closer and held out her hand. Without hesitation, Paimon drifted down, resting against her palm as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
>>"I wasn't going to leave you. We're partners. A team. I never let you down or left you behind"<<
Paimon looked up at her, eyes shining.
>>"Promise?"<<
Lumine nodded gently and smiled.
>>"I promise, Paimon."<<
For a few seconds, only the sound of the wind brushing against the glass filled the room and between both of them was a comfortable silence.
Lumine followed her gaze, her expression thoughtful.
>>"Maybe and maybe that's why we found her."<<
After a few moments Paimon glanced toward the other door the room where Noxira was resting.
>>"Paimon's been thinking about her, she's... different. Not scary. Just... like she doesn't really belong anywhere but... Paimon thinks she's nice. Is she traveling with us now?"<<
Lumine followed her gaze thoughtful and answered with a calm voice.
>>"Maybe yes and maybe, that's why we found her"<<
Paimon tilted her head questioning and curious.
>>"You really think so? And you really think she would travel with us ?"<<
Lumine smiled faintly and don't turned her gaze from Noxiras room
>>"I do and I think she could help us with our traveling, I think she would make a good allie and I think I like her and her company"<<
Paimon crossed her arms, pretending to think very hard, then nodded with sudden confidence.
>>"Then Paimon's in! If she's traveling with us, we'll just have to make sure she doesn't get or hurt again. Paimon thinks when she goes with us, she find her purpose and memories back."<<
Lumine let out a quiet laugh soft, genuine and for the first time since the storm, the tension in her are shoulders eased.
>>"I think so too, it would certainly do her good to go with us. She seems to me like she's also looking for something, and maybe she'll find it with us."<<
Paimon hovered a little higher, her expression shifting from excitement to something more thoughtful.
>>"Lumine... Paimon also noticed something."<<
Lumine glanced at her curious and looked attentive at her.
>>"What is it Paimon?"<<
Paimon thought and gathered her thoughts for a moment and explained then.
>>"When Stormterror appeared, the wind didnt just push her down. It was like... it was reacting to her. I'm not sure... We don't know who we're dealing with... Do you understand what Paimon mean?"<<
Lumine didn't answer immediately and thought back to the situation and remembered she had noticed it too. The way the air bent around Noxira, the way the pressure vanished the moment the dragon fled.
>>"That's true, I noticed that too and it means we should be careful. I like her but I already thought about that, she had this Cracks in her face and this strange reaction, but I also didn't like prejudice."<<
Paimon nodded understanding.
>>"I know, just be careful Lumine as always"<<
Lumine smiled lightly at that and said gentle.
>>"If she travels with us, we don"t rush her. We don't ask everything at once We will remain patient and not pressure her."<<
Paimon nodded understandingly and added thoughtful.
>>"And if she doesn't want to talk? What then? What if she keeps secrets to herself?"<<
>>"Then we wait and stay patient, People don't remember who they are by being forced Paimon and everyone has their secrets."<<
Paimon relaxed a little at that and stiffed again.
>>"Ehe !? Paimon trusts you and now you say you have secrets!? What are you not telling Paimon?! and... you think she's not dangerous, Paimon will try too."<<
Lumine reached up, gently steadying Paimon in midair and strokes her head.
>>"We'll watch out for each other, that's enough for now and... I don't have secrets, that's not what I wanted to say Paimon. I wanted to say that she has perhaps secrets because she's afraid that we don't like her after telling us or that we don't accept her anymore. Secrets doesn't exist without reason Paimon."<<
Paimon nods understandingly, outside the wind shifted again soft, steady and this time, it didn't feel like it was listening.
Lumine and Paimon they turned towards the door and set off together towards Noxira's room, Lumine stopped in front of the door waited a moment before she knocked at the door.
Lumine lifted her hand and knocked softly, deliberately for a moment, there was no response and Paimon hovered beside her, quietly, out of consideration.
Then, from inside the room, came the faint sound of movement, fabric shifting a breath drawn in too sharply. >>"...come in"<< a voice said. Quiet. Careful.
Lumine opened the door slowly and carefully, she speaks soft and gentle.
>>"Noxira, it's me. Lumine and Paimon"<<
The room was dimmer than the hall, the curtains half-drawn. Noxira sat herself on the edge of the bed, one hand braced against the mattress as if grounding herself. Her eyes lifted when she saw Lumine and Paimon for happiness and Lumine returned it.
Noxiras face light up and she speaks gentle.
>>"Lumine... You're... back."<<
Noxira Lumine immediately made room for me to sit.
>>"Yes, I'm back."<< Lumine said gently, closing the door behind her but not locking it. She stayed where she was, giving space but when she saw that Noxiras made space for her, she sat beside her. >>I wan - I mean, we wanted to check on you."<<
Paimon peeked around Lumine's shoulder with a smile and added.
>>"And to make sure you're okay! You kinda scared Paimon earlier when you fell to your knees"<<
Noxira's gaze flicked to the floor.
>>"I'm sorry... I - I didn't mean to cause trouble. I would have liked to help...<<
Lumine shook her head and smiled gentle.
>>"You didn't, what happened to you or Mondstand wasn't your fault."<<
Noxira looked up at her and saw the smile and her eyes who are so certain and Noxiras got startled by the certainty in Lumine's voice and eyes.
>>"I - I don't remember much... just fragments... the pressure, The wind and then..."<<
Her hand drifted to her chest unconsciously as she thinks back to the memorie.
>>"My name..."<<
Paimon said brightly, floating forward but remains near Lumine.
>>"Noxira! Now Paimon can finally say it properly!"<<
A small, uncertain smile touched Noxira's lips but she doesn't noticed the smile.
>>"Yes. Noxira."<<
Lumine slips a little closer but not too close, careful not to crowd her.
>>"If you're tired... we can talk later of course. There's no rush."<<
Lumine smiled gentle and encouraging.
>>"...No, better now. I want to be honest with you,"<<
Paimon blinked and nodded.
>>"Okay then. Go ahead, we're listening."<<
Noxira let out a deep breath, steadying herself.
>>"I don' t know who or what I am...Unfortunately.."<<
Noxira looks at Lumine she said honestly and look at her hands.
>>"I only know that the world feels... slightly wrong, like... I'm standing half a step out of place."<<
Lumine nodded slowly and smiled gentle.
>>"That's okay, you don't need answers everything yet. You just need time, It'll be alright. Don't give up on yourself"<<
Noxira frowned faintly, not believing how trusting and understanding Lumine is.
>>"You're not afraid? After what happened today or what could happen in future?"<<
Paimon crossed her arms and float closer to Noxira.
>>"Paimon was scared of the dragon, not you!! Paimon was worried ABOUT you!"<<
Lumine shakes her head smiling and then met Noxira's gaze.
>>"I won't pretend I understand everything"<<
Lumine turned completely to Noxira and smiled gentle.
>>"But I don't think you're dangerous Noxira and if something about you is... unusual, then we'll deal with it together. Paimon and I see you as our companien."<<
Noxira's fingers curled slightly in the fabric of her clothes, her hands trembled slightly while she looks down on her lap.
>>"You - you don't even know me....'
Lumine smiled gentle, nodded and put her hand over one hand of Noxira.
>>"That's true..."<<
Lumine replied and guided Noxiras face too her that Noxira face her and then took her hand back.
>>But Paimon and I didn't know each other either and we became friends and travel together."<<
Paimon nodded enthusiastically.
>>"Yep! And look at us now best travel team ever!"<<
Noxira blushed slightly at Lumine's gesture and Noxira smiled small, then Noxira escaped a breathless laugh from Noxira it was quick and suddenly like it escaped before she could stop it, she looked at Lumine again, more carefully this time and asked.
>>"What is your reason for traveling?"<<
Lumine hesitated for the first time in this conversation.
>>"I'm searching for my sibling, for answers wherever they are."<<
Noxira understandet that, her expression thoughtful.
>>"So then you're searching too..."<<
Lumine became serious and determined.
>>"Yes and I won't give up"<<
Silence settled not uncomfortable after a moment, Noxira spoke again, quieter.
>>"If you want me to travel with you... I do it, but... Ican't promise I'll be always useful or safe..."<<
Lumine smiled gentle and understandingly.
>>"Then don't promise, just walk with us. That's enough, What isn't there yet will be later."<<
Paimon floated closer to Noxira, tilting her head.
>>"And! If you ever feel weird again you tell us! No disappearing into the wind or secrets, okay?"<<
Noxira looked between them and feel the warmth and the patience.
>>"Thank you, I promise Lumine and Paimon. I will do everything I can to support you."<<
Lumine smiled motivating but also confident while she extended her hand to Noxira. At first Noxira hesitated but after a moment she took it. Noxiras grip was light, but steady.
>>"Welcome in the Team Noxira, I'm happy to have you with me now and Paimon is happy too"<<
Lumine said and nodded. Outside the wind brushed the windows once more, the wind was not restless. It was just passing through.
When Noxira took Lumine's hand, she pulled her towards. Noxira on her feet while she smiled and ask.
>>"Are you fit again? Mondstadt still needs help, while you where recovering here. Have I prepared anything and taken care of a few things, If you are fit, you can participate."<<
Noxira she stood up and nodded confidently, whereupon Lumine immediately smiled and pulled her out of the room, to pull her out of the room and immediately bring her to Sara the Waitress from Good Hunter to there with Noxira and Paimon.
While they were eating, Lumine told Noxira about her experiences and her missions while Noxira was asleep and recovering. She told her about her experiences with Venti and a few with Diluc, she also said that Diluc owned a bar and that they were planning with Jean to fight Stormterror to free him. Lumine explained a lot about Venti that he is the Archon Barbartos and disguises himself as a strange bard with a connection to the wind, Paimon interrupted with >>"You mean Tone deaf bard !"<< Noxiras listened attentive and thought back to the Memories she saw before she awaked.