While Lumine, Paimon, and Noxira were talking, they noticed that Mondstadt felt different again. The streets were lively again voices overlapping, laughter drifting from open windows and the rhythmic clatter of boots against stone from the walking civilians. After they eat together Noxira walked beside Lumine while Paimon floated, but Noxira always was half a pace behind them without meaning to, but every time she noticed and tried to correct it every time she drifted in thoughts back again. The wind brushed past the city, playful and free again It tugged at banners, carried the scent of food and freshness through the air, stirred loose strands of hair but when it reached Noxira, it slowed again it doesn't stopped the wind just... hesitated.
She stiffened and Paimon noticed it immediately and turned towards her.
>>"Huh? Did you feel that too ?"<<
Noxira shook her head too quickly and tried to lie.
>>No No. I - I'm... I'm fine."<<
She wasn't fine. There was pressure behind her ribs, deep and dull, like something pressing outward and for a split second, the world tilted not visually, but internally. As if the air itself had forgotten how to hold her Lumine stopped walking and walk fast back to Noxira. She didn't ask questions, she simply turned and placed a steady hand on Noxira's arm to ground her.
>>"Breathe. We're here for you, you are here with us and you are safe with us."<<
The pressure eased and the wind moved on, Noxira exhaled shakily, staring at her own hands as if they might betray her again.
>>"I'm so sorry... Lumine and Paimon"<<
She murmured, though she wasn't sure why but Paimon crossed her arms, frowning.
>>"Hey! No apologizing for feeling weird! Paimon does that all the time!"<<
That earned a faint smile small but still, as they continued walking, Noxira couldn't shake the feeling.
The city was alive, the wind was watching and somewhere deep inside her, something had stirred then gone quiet again, as if waiting.
The three are eating the three of them were together and after a while Lisa came by, She was collecting books when Paimon saw her, whereupon Paimon called out to her.
>>"Look Lumine there is Lisa ! Hey Lisa !!"<<
Lisa turned to the three and went towards them with a charming and knowing smirk.
>>"Well, Well. Lumine, Paimon and Noxira. I see you are enjoying the dishes of Mondstadt, I hope you like them."<< She smiled.
The three nod and Noxira he made room for Lisa and offered her something from her plate, which Lisa accept when she saw that Noxira eat Pasta. Noxira immediately made her a fork and holds it out to her, Lisa immediately smiled cheekily and mischievously.
>>"Well, Well. Now I get spoiled here? From our guest, are you trying to seduce me? Cutie?"<<
Noxira don't understand what Lisa was talking about and looked seeking help from Lumine, Lumine smiled and giggled a bit. The overwhelmed face Noxira was amusing from her, Noxira obviously doesn't understand anything. Lisa was amused by this reaction and find it endearing but take the bite and eat it with a amused smirk, but still Noxira didn't understand a thing. The three aces continued together, and Noxira shared her food with Lisa, she wasn't very hungry.
>>"Would you like to come with me after eating? I would like to examine and study you further."<<
Noxira they nodded and continued eating until they were finished, then they got up from the table after paying and left with Lisa.
Lisa closed the heavy door behind them after they go with Lisa.
>>"Now then... no interruptions and I hope you don't have much more to do for today."<<
She turned around, an amused smile on her lips, but her eyes were sharp and full of research curiosity.
>>"Noxira please sit, my dear."<<
Noxira obeyed and Lumine stayed within range while Paimon hovered nervously but curious. Lisa placed a small catalyst artifact on the table.
>>"This won't hurt, well... not Much..."<<
Noxira swallowed nervous when the artifact became active, the air in the room changed non-violent but Unwilling.
Noxira slightly curled her fingers and the a flash.
• A sky without stars.
• Wind that didn't carry, but tore apart
• A voice, gentle but precise "Stabilization failed"
The Stabilization failed and Noxira inhaled sharply.
>>"Lisa!"<< Said Lumine loud but still gentle while she stepped forward out of concern for Noxira.
Lisa immediately raised her hand, to symbolize that she can calm down and stay away.
>>"Enough and stay away Lumine."<<
The artifact fell silent and Noxira was trembling and she is still conscious. Lisa stared at her and find out .
>>"This... This isn't just Abyssal corruption. This... is something that was designed."<<
Paimon don't understand and tilted her head, while Lumine thinking, she places her hand on her chin.
>>"Designed...?"<< Asked Paimon
Lisa nodded slowly and explained.
>>"Whoever or whatever broke her, knew exactly what what to do and if the wrong people find that out about Noxira..."<<
She smiled faintly and continued.
>>"They won't try to kill her, they'll try to claim her."<<
Lumine felt a cold pull in her stomach and looked in concern to Noxira, Noxira she nodded confidently and slowly sat up while holding her chest.
Lumine helped her to sit up and supportet and advises her.
>>"Slowly Noxira, I don't want you to get hurt again, that was a bit stressful."<<
Noxira nodded while smiling and let Lumine support her and stood slowly up, Lisa checks Noxira for injuries or similar issues and asks.
>>"Do you both want to go anywhere else?"<<
Lumine nodded and explained.
>>"I have to go to Venti's soon and I'd like to take Noxira with me, she's part of my team after all."<<
Lumine smiled at Noxira and Paimon floated between Noxira and Paimon, both made space for her.
>>"Please don't strain your body so much, Noxira, that was very exhausting."<<
Lisa said this warningly and opened the door for the trio, they walk through and nod in thanks. While Lisa takes care of her new information and the library, the trio now goes to Venti.
Meanwhile Venti hummed softly, sitting on the steps of the Dilus Bar The Angel's Share. He is waiting for Lumine and Paimon, they had arranged to meet later.
The Costumers from the Angel's Share were very quiet but still talk to each other, they know from Diluc that they need to be quieter. Venti then came to the bar with the three of them, where Jean and Diluc were already waiting for the four of them.
The four entered the bar and the two immediately looked over at them, Jean says calmly and speak first.
>>There you are. Diluc has already explained the situation to me, I'm here as Jean today not as Acting Grand Master."<<.
Diluc nodded and looked at Lumine and said.
>>"That's right. I asked her to come so we could speak freely, What we discuss here stays here. Stormterror is growing more active, and the Lyre we need is currently secured in a domain".<<
They began exchanging more and more information and They began exchanging more and more information and the three could only listen, while Jean, Diluc and Venti talked to each other.
After a while they looked at Lumine and Lumine looked between Venti, Diluc and Jean. Jean explained
>>"We'll split up Lumine, Paimon and Noxira, you'll go with Diluc. Venti and I will meet you later at the Meetingpoint."<<
Venti gave a small nod, his usual carefree smile subdued.
>>"Once we're there, I'll use the Lyre to call Dvalin."<<
Lumine nodded and understood, that she go with Diluc while Jean and Venti they will meet them later at the meeting point, there they call the Stormterror with the lyre.
Jean thought for a moment and then asked with a little hesitation.
>>"Actually... Shouldn't Noxira stay with me instead? I mean, we still don't know how she'll react to another surge of Anemo or similar. Lisa was quite clear she needs rest, not more excitement."<<
Lumine looked first at Jean and then at Noxira, then said Paimon.
>>"Hey! Noxira's our friend now! Paimon kinda wants her with us!"<<
Lumine she looked at Noxira and then at Jean, she thought for a moment and then nodded.
>>"Paimon's right but... Jean has a point too. Noxira's already been through a lot. It might be better if she rejoins us later."<<
Jean nodded and added.
>>"She can stay with me and can help me bit until we meet at the Meetingpoint"<<
Noxira nodded quietly, accepting the decision without protest and so they parted ways.
Lumine, Paimon went with Noxira to rest together, she spoke to her a little before they lay down. Lumine spoke to Noxira about how she would look after her because Noxira was worried about her, and Lumine and Paimon reassured her that they would not leave her alone.