Aether and his two Raccoon kids

On a bright sunny day in Mondstad, many people were walking around, going about their business, while the Knights of Favonius patrolled the area.

At Good Hunter, two people sat at a table. The blonde Aether ate his food normally, while the white-haired child, Paimon, devoured hers.

Aether had a week off-no commissions, no traveling. He needed rest from fighting Abyss Mages and solving puzzles for other nations.

While eating, he felt vibrations in his pocket. He stopped and looked at Paimon, who was still eating, glancing left and right to see if anyone was nearby.

Seeing no one around, he pulled a device from his pocket. It looked like a communication device-a phone.

Why did he have a phone in this world? A special friend from another world gifted it to him, saying it was special because he could text or call friends in another world, even across the galaxy.

He checked his phone, saw his group chat, opened it, and smiled at messages from his precious children.

Group Chat:

Stelle: Hi, Dad!

Caelus: Hi, Father.

Aether smiled and typed a message to his son and daughter.

Aether: Hello, Stelle, Caelus. What are you two up to today.

Stelle: Not much, just bored. We finished our missions and are now lying around playing games.

He chuckled and asked his son.

Aether: How about you, Caelus? What are you doing today?

Caelus: Not much, Father, just like Stelle said.

Stelle: How about you, Dad? Are you doing commissions or solving puzzles in other nations?

Aether: Nah, I have a week off, just relaxing and eating with my companion.

Stelle: Wow, lucky you! We have another mission tomorrow.

Aether: Haha, endure it, my dear. I was like you in the other world, barely a day off due to work eliminating monsters.

He chuckled at his children's obsession with trash cans, recalling a certain woman with gray hair diving into them for treasures.

Stelle: Dad?

Stelle: Dad?

Stelle: Daaaad!

I texted my daughter after snapping out of my thoughts.

Aether: Hmm? Sorry, Stelle, my mind wandered.

Stelle: Are you alright, Dad?

Aether: I'm fine, dear, just thinking about someone.

Stelle: Thinking about someone?

Caelus: Are you thinking of Mother, Father?

Ah, I forgot these two worry when I'm sad. I remember them as children, looking at me with concern instead of playing.

Even though their mother isn't here, she'll watch over us from the stars.

Aether: Hehehe, yes... I'm thinking about your mother. Don't worry.

Caelus: If you say so, Father. I'm going to play games with Wolf today.

Aether: Okay, Caelus, say hi to Wolf for me.

Caelus: I will, Father. Bye.

Caelus went offline.

Stelle: Jeez, he's leaving me alone. I have nothing to do.

Aether: How about reading or hanging out with your companions?

Stelle: Hmm... Maybe I'll hang out with March 7, Miss Himeko, or Mr. Welt. Let's not bother Dan Heng; he's probably sleeping after our last mission.

Aether: Alright, send my regards to Yang and Himeko. Bye, take care, Stelle. Love you.

Stelle: Bye-bye! Love you too, Dad!

Stelle went offline.

Aether sighed, closed his phone, and smiled. His smile faded when he felt two eyes on him.

He looked up to see Paimon, sauce on her cheeks. He sighed, pulled out a tissue, and wiped her cheeks.

Aether: Is something wrong, Paimon? Is there something on my face?

Paimon: Nothing's wrong, Aether. I just saw you smiling at that weird device.

Oops, she noticed. It's hard to explain this device to her.

Aether: It's just a toy device. I play with it when I'm bored.

Paimon: I see....

Paimon stretched and said,

Paimon: Paimon is full! Let's head to Sumeru and hang out with Nahida!"

Aether: Sure, Paimon! Let me pay for our food, and let's go!"

She nodded, and he paid at the counter, telling Sarah to keep the change. She bowed and thanked him.

They went to a nearby teleport, placed their hands on it.

Aether: Ready?

Paimon: Ready!

He smiled, took a deep breath, and they disappeared.

End.