Homecoming quake

Lumine and Paimon glided effortlessly over the lush hills of Mondstadt, the city's iconic windmills, and spires growing larger with each passing moment. The Traveler had been away on another quest, seeking answers and allies in distant lands. Now, the familiar sight of Mondstadt brought relief and anticipation.

"Paimon can't wait to have some sticky honey roast!" Paimon exclaimed, her voice full of excitement. "And maybe some new stories from the tavern!"

Lumine glanced at Paimon as she laughed. "Food is always in your head, Paimon."

Paimon crossed her arms and pouted. "Hey! A floating companion needs to stay energized, you know!"

Lumine chuckled as they descended, landing gracefully on the bridge before the giant gate of Mondstadt. The familiar sound of rushing water from the nearby river and the soft hum of the city's activity greeted them.

As they made their way towards the gate, they spotted a small figure standing on the bridge, surrounded by a flock of pigeons. It was Timmy, the young boy known for feeding the birds every day. However, as soon as he saw them approaching, his cheerful expression changed to one of dismay.

"Oh no, not you two again!" Timmy shouted, waving his arms frantically. "You scared away my pigeons last time!"

Paimon floated up to Timmy, her hands on her hips. "Hey! It's not like we did it on purpose. We were just passing by!"

Lumine smiled apologetically. "Sorry about that, Timmy. We promise to be more careful this time."

Timmy huffed, his cheeks puffing up in frustration. "You always say that! And now look, they've all flown away again!"

Lumine noticed the pigeons scattering in all directions, startled by the commotion. She sighed and knelt down to Timmy's level. "How about we help you call them back? Paimon and I can stand very still, and you can use your special pigeon call."

Timmy's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Really? You promise not to move?"

Lumine nodded earnestly. "We promise."

Paimon, slightly less enthusiastic but willing to help, floated closer to Timmy. "Alright, let's do this. But you owe us a story about the best places to eat in Mondstadt!"

Timmy giggled, his anger dissipating. "Deal!"

With that, he cupped his hands around his mouth and let out a series of cooing sounds. To Lumine and Paimon's amazement, the pigeons began to return, fluttering down to the bridge one by one. They landed cautiously at first, then more confidently as they realized the intruders were not a threat.

Timmy beamed with pride as his feathered friends gathered around him. "See? They always come back!"

Paimon nodded, impressed. "Wow, Timmy, you're really good at that!"

Lumine smiled warmly. "Thanks for letting us help, Timmy. We'll be more mindful next time."

As they said their goodbyes and continued toward the city gates, Paimon couldn't resist a final comment. "You know, maybe we should get Timmy to teach us that pigeon call. It might come in handy!"

The grand gates of Mondstadt swung open, and the duo entered the bustling city. The familiar sight of merchants hawking their wares, children playing in the streets, and knights patrolling the area filled them with a sense of comfort. The air was filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and the sound of laughter and chatter.

As they walked through the city, various NPCs greeted them warmly. Marjorie from the souvenir shop called out, "Welcome back, Traveler! I have some new trinkets that might interest you!" Wagner, the blacksmith, waved a heavy hand and grunted his usual greeting, "Good to see you, Lumine. Need any weapons forged?"

Paimon fluttered around excitedly, enjoying the attention. "It's good to be back! Paimon's missed all this!"

They made their way toward the Good Hunter, where the smell of delicious food wafted through the air. "How about a quick snack before we head to the Knights of Favonius?" Paimon suggested, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Lumine nodded. "That sounds like a good idea. Let's grab something to eat."

Just as they were about to step into the restaurant, a deep, rumbling sound echoed through the city. The ground beneath their feet began to shake violently. Buildings swayed, and the cobblestones cracked and shifted.

Citizens of Mondstadt cried out in alarm, scrambling for cover. Plates and cups clattered to the ground, shattering on impact. Paimon grabbed onto Lumine's shoulder, her eyes wide with fear. "What's happening?"

Lumine's heart pounded as she steadied herself against the shaking. "It's an earthquake! We need to get to safety!"

They dashed into the open square, where the towering statue of Barbatos stood, offering a semblance of stability. Knights of Favonius were already on the scene, helping citizens evacuate buildings and ensuring everyone found safe ground.

Jean, the Acting Grand Master, was directing the efforts with a calm yet urgent demeanor. "Everyone, stay calm! Find open spaces and avoid standing near buildings!"

Lisa, the librarian, was using her electro powers to stabilize a swaying building, preventing it from collapsing. Kaeya was guiding a group of children to safety, his usual laid-back attitude replaced by a serious expression.

Lumine and Paimon reached the square, where Jean spotted them and rushed over. "Lumine, Paimon! I'm glad you're here. This earthquake was unlike anything we've experienced before."

Lumine nodded, her mind racing. "We felt it outside the city, too. What's causing this?"

Jean shook her head, her brow furrowed in concern. "We're not sure. The epicenter seems to be somewhere in the Whispering Woods, but we haven't been able to investigate further due to the intensity of the quake."

Paimon looked around at the frightened faces of the citizens. "This is bad, really bad!"

Lumine placed a reassuring hand on Paimon's shoulder. "We'll figure this out, Paimon. Jean, we'll head to the Whispering Woods and see what we can find."

Jean nodded, grateful for their help. "Be careful. Take some knights with you for support. We don't know what's out there."