[ aether had been quiet while staring at their photo, his expression uncertain. there's something about the photo that he can't put a finger on, but somehow, it's out of reach in his mind. like it can't seem to process it and yet accepts it all the same. which is rather alarming and disturbing, especially considering the fact that his sister is anything but. no doubt it's another secret he's kept from him, and he doesn't know if he wants to learn about it right now.

lumine places a hand on his arm, quietly asking him if he wants to talk about it. but he simply shakes his head, deciding that he wants to see this place for himself. there's something familiar about it that he wants to figure it out on his own.

a few moments later, lumine's wandering off towards ajax when she spots him, standing in front of childe and lumine's photo. if she didn't think they weren't real before, then she did now; there's nothing more tangible than a talking bird and a photo proving their existence, proving their relationship. ]

Aether went off to wander the teapot by himself, [ she says quietly, staring at lumine's smile. it's genuine, full of love and affection and joy. ] He said he wants to be alone for a bit to think.

[ to figure things out on his own. whatever that means anyway. ]

... You know, one of the guys Lumine was with on the pictures is really good-looking.