"How do you fly?" Etoma asked, staring at Paimon. Her worldview had just been shaken. Apparently, it wasn't only birds and dragons that could fly.
"Eh?" Paimon scratched her head.
"Even if you ask Paimon, Paimon doesn't know how to answer. Flying just feels like second nature to Paimon…"
"I see… hmm…" Etoma stroked her imaginary beard in deep thought. After a moment, she gave up.
"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. Hello, my name is Etoma Ra—Rag—… just call me Etoma…" she said, blushing.
"Nice to meet you, Etoma! My name is Paimon! And this is Traveler Lumine!" Paimon said cheerfully.
"Nice to meet you," Lumine added, extending her hand.
"Nice to meet you too," Etoma replied, shaking it.
Soon, the three of them sat at the same table.
When the food arrived, Paimon immediately began drooling and dove in, eating as if there were no tomorrow. It was a mystery how such a small body could hold that much food—but no one questioned it.
Watching her, Etoma chuckled. This reminded her of a certain alcohol-loving friend who drank just as enthusiastically. Maybe the two of them were destined to meet someday.
After finishing their meal, they began talking. Paimon explained that they had just arrived in Mondstadt today and were immediately caught in the chaos. Lumine had fought off the dragon and was awarded the title of Honorary Knight.
Hearing this, Etoma's eyes sparkled.
"To fend off a dragon alone… that's amazing! No wonder the Knights gave you a title!"
She paused, then asked,
"So… do you two already have a place to stay?"
"Well… since we just arrived today, Paimon doesn't think so…"
"In that case, Traveler, Paimon, would you like to stay at my place?"
""Eh?!"" Both Lumine and Paimon were stunned.
"Are you sure?" Lumine asked.
"Un! Actually, my room is really big. My brother keeps saying it's not big enough and wants to expand it, but I refused..." Etoma said, a little shy.
"If I ask him to add another bed, he'll definitely agree, so don't worry! Of course, if you're uncomfortable, you can stay in a guest room—we have plenty. Ah, if you still not sure, you can just think of it as me wanting to become friends with you! Hehe~ Having an Honorary Knight as a friend sounds amazing~"
"Heeh~ so you have a brother… what kind of person is he?" Paimon asked curiously.
"My brother is wonderful!" Etoma said proudly. "He's a bit grumpy now, but he's the nicest person you'll ever meet!"
"Sounds like you really like him."
"Un! I love my brother the most!" she said with a bright grin.
"I see…" Lumine nodded. "If you don't mind this little noisy and I staying, then… sure."
"Hey! What do you mean by that?!" Paimon protested.
"Hehe~ Paimon is so cute! Can I hug you?"
"Hmph! Paimon already knows that. So Paimon allows it. Consider it payment for staying at your place."
Without hesitation, Etoma lunged forward and hugged her tightly.
"Muehehe~ how can someone be this cute?! Paimon, be my personal cuddle pillow! I'll take care of your food and everything!" Etoma spoke, rubbing her cheeks to Paimon's face.
"O-oi! Calm down!"
Lumine couldn't help but laugh at the scene.
Later, the three walked toward Etoma's home. The streets were still quiet after the earlier attack. Only a handful of people walked.
When they arrived, Lumine and Paimon were stunned. The house was massive—nearly twice the size of most large homes in Mondstadt.
Inside, several maids were working as they passed through the halls, eventually stopping in front of a room. Etoma knocked few times before entered.
"Diluc-nii, I'm home~"
"Etoma, how many times must I tell you? Don't wander around when Stormterror is attacking." Diluc looked up from his paperwork—then noticed the guests.
Etoma pouted.
"The attack already stopped. Diluc-nii, you worry too much."
"…That aside, they are?"
"Ah! Let me introduce you! This is Traveler Lumine and Paimon! They just arrived today—and Lumine is the one who repelled Stormterror! She immediately awarded a title by the Knights of Favonius!"
"The Knights of Favonius… huh." Diluc scoffed. "That useless organization can't do anything without relying on outsiders. As expected, they only good for nothing."
"Diluc-nii~" Etoma reprimanded.
"Hmph. So, why are they here?"
"Yes! they actually don't have a place to stay. Can they stay here? Diluc-nii, please~" Etoma threw her signature move, a pleading gaze.
"…Gkh. Fine." It was super effective.
"Hehe, Thank you, Diluc-nii!"
She turned back to Lumine and Paimon.
"So~ where do you want to stay? A guest room? or maybe, m-i-n-e?" Etoma winked.
Both of them threw a stone face at her antic.
"…Guest room."
"WAIT! Please stay in my room! I want a sleepover!" Etoma clutched Lumine's sleeve.
Lumine sighed.
"…Alright."
"Hehe! Then, brother, I'm counting on you to prepare their beds, okay? We're going now! Bye!" And just like that, they left—closing the door behind them. Leaving Diluc alone.
He sighed. Guess he had work to do.
Before that, however, he summoned one of his subordinates to handle a background check for Lumine and Paimon. If there was even the slightest sign of danger… He wouldn't hesitate to separate them.
After all, he wouldn't allow even the smallest threat near his little sister. With that decided, Diluc stood and left the room.
.
.
"Traveler, Paimon—we're here." Etoma stopped in front of the Cat's Tail, gesturing toward the entrance.
"Where is this place?" Paimon asked, glancing around curiously.
"You said you're looking for a green-clad guy, right? I think I know exactly who you mean. He's one of my best friends, after all." Etoma grinned as she pushed the door open.
The moment they stepped inside, they were greeted by the sight of cats sprawled lazily across the floor and piled atop soft cushions.
Without hesitation, she hurried over to one of her favorite cats and scooped it up, immediately burying her face in its fur. Lumine and Paimon exchanged a look before following after her at a slower pace.
"Ah, that's the person I'm talking about. You can go ahead and talk to him." Etoma pointed at a person sleeping on the counter. He had short, bluish-black hair with teal-tipped braids. He wore a white frilly top, teal shorts, and a cape.
Etoma then continued rubbing against the cat while Lumine and Paimon approached the sleeping man.
"Hello?"
"Hm... five more minutes..." the guy mumbled.
Paimon slowly floated toward him and gently shook him.
"Hmm?" The guy slowly lifted his head and looked at them.
"What do you need? hic"
.