Chapter 10

It took almost a week, but finally Aether had official documents. The plan was simple. Aether, conveniently carrying his passport, would happen across Xiao as he was getting lunch one day. He ate lunch every day at a small restaurant called 'Wanmin's.' Knowing that Xiao issued an order for Aether's immediate detainment, he was guaranteed to bring him in. It certainly is a gamble for the Knights, sending the person who could completely betray almost all of their information straight into the lion's cave. Diluc undeniably had doubts. Doubts that he voiced many times. Barbatos was confident though. After the raw emotion Aether showed, he doesn't believe he would betray them. And Aether still knows the consequences should he do it.

After many days of waiting, the moment arrived. Aether wore a pair of black boots with baby heels, black skinny jeans, a tight white turtleneck that was cropped just below his ribcage, and his cape with intricate gold detailing along the edges and neck. Noelle had protested, saying that no one wears anything like that around here. Aether argued back that it is his last connection to his sister. In the end he won.

"Darling, do you have the passport and money?" Lisa asked. He nodded and showed it to them.

"And you know the number to call if this goes south?" Diluc asked.

"Of course," Aether said, "Will I really need to be rescued?"

"It is always good to be prepared," he replied.

"Be careful! Paimon won't know what to do if you get arrested!" Aether smiled at her and fondly ruffled her hair.

"It will be fine. I will sort this out with Xiao. Get him off your trail. Ideally discover something about my sister and Dain. Show him I am a citizen of Teyvat." And with that he walked out of the warehouse. He nodded at Eula as he left and ventured into the city to the assigned street. He did garner a few curious looks as he walked but most people simply ignored him.

He reached the street and realized he had no idea what time it was. He looked around and tried to gauge it based on the sun but really couldn't tell all that well. Oh well. I guess I'll just chill at the restaurant then. Wanmin's Restaurant is a small Chinese restaurant that advertised something called 'Almond Tofu'. Aether walked in and was surrounded by the warm smell of cooked ham and a softer floral scent.

"Hi!" a short Chinese woman with her hair braided in a bow said enthusiastically, "What can I get started for you?"

"What do you suggest?" Aether asked, looking around the restaurant for any sign of Xiao.

"I suggest Adeptus' Temptation, it's a soup with ham, crab, shrimp, and matsutake mushrooms! It's a favorite of many regulars. However if you want something lighter and sweeter we have Almond Tofu! That's the other best seller. It's a favorite of vice mayor Fú!"

"I'll take the almond tofu," Aether replied, fishing out his wallet. He paid the proper amount and then found a seat next to the window where he would be clearly visible from every direction. He waited a few minutes before he saw a head of teal hair come around the corner. Found him. Aether thought triumphantly. A second later his food was brought over. Aether thoughtfully tried a bite. Interesting. The texture isn't at all what I was expecting.

"Your regular?" Xiangling asked.

"Yes please, Xiangling," Xiao said, "And I have a question for you."

"Police business?" Xiangling asked.

Xiao nodded and said, "Have you seen a foreign looking man? A little taller than me. Long blonde hair. He looks to be roughly 18 years old?"

Aether finished his last bite, stood up and said, "I'm actually 20." Xiangling's eyes widened when she realized that the man Xiao was looking for was in her restaurant.

Xiao pulled out his handcuffs and said, "You are going to come with me. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law."

"Those handcuffs are unnecessary, officer. I have no interest in causing trouble." Aether said, "Thank you for the meal Miss Xiangling. It was delicious." Xiangling smiled and nodded her head. She turned and ran back into the kitchen.

"Oh, Xiao, here's your lunch!" She handed him a bag. "Should I tell Hu Tao to expect you for dinner tonight?"

"Yes," Xiao said, "Please give her my regards." Aether wondered with a twinge of interest who 'Hu Tao' was. Then Xiao regarded Aether and said, "Please come with me. I will use force if I deem it necessary." And I will fight back if I deem it necessary. Aether replied in his head. Outwardly he nodded and followed Xiao. Xiao and Aether walked in tense and uncomfortable silence for the fifteen minutes it took for them to get to the station. I wonder what he's thinking? Aether thought as they got to the station. He paused for a moment before Xiao roughly pulled him over the threshold.

"Ah, welcome back Xiao," a girl with dark blue hair. She was wearing a necklace with four crow wings on it. "Is this..?"

She trailed off but Xiao nodded as an answer, "Is Jean here?"

"Yes. She and Heizou are in her office." Xiao nodded once more before grabbing Aether's arm and walking him to an office near the back of the station. He knocked sharply once on the door before turning the knob and opening the door. He pushed Aether in before following behind. The first thing Aether saw was a woman with medium length blond hair pulled into a tight ponytail, she bore a striking resemblance to Barbara. His brow furrowed as he thought. I remember Barbara mentioned something about an older sister. I had no idea she was the police Chief. So her girlfriend and her sister are a part of the Knights? I wonder if she has any idea? She seems like she would lock them up regardless of their relationships.

"Ah, Xiao, welcome back. I see you brought a guest," Jean said. She straightened the papers she was viewing and the other man in the room, who had purplish-red hair, turned around and leaned against Jean's desk, intentionally blocking Aether's view of the papers. That must be Heizou. And whatever they are looking at is important.

"Yes ma'am. This is the outlander I was telling you about," Xiao said. Perfect opening for me. Thank you Xiao.

"Outlander?" Aether asked, feigning confusion, "I thought no one could get into the city?" The Knights told him how only the Mafia and a select few police members knew that people could enter the city. And how it would help his act if he acted as if he had no idea people could enter the city. Even if he couldn't fully trick Xiao, afterall Xiao saw first hand that he is in fact an outlander, he could plant doubt that Xiao reported correctly.

Obviously he said the correct thing because Jean looked confused for a second before replacing it with a blank mask. "If you are in fact a citizen of Teyvat. Can I see your passport?" Another test. As Teyvat is a closed city, the government wants to ensure anyone that may slip in is caught immediately, therefore all citizens know that they must always carry their passport for random ID checks. Aether reached into the pocket of his pants and pulled out his passport. He tried to hand it over as calmly as possible. Heizou took it from him and opened it up. Please let Mona and Lisa have made this right. Heizou let out a hum and passed the passport to Jean.

"Everything appears to be in order," Heizou said hesitantly. Xiao moved past Aether and opened his mouth to speak but then shut it. Aether let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding. Jean held the little booklet underneath the lamp on her desk and then held it up to see the photo and Aether side by side.

"He is in fact a citizen of Teyvat," Jean said.

"Then why didn't you know what Mora is?" Xiao asked sternly.

"I was just messing with you," Aether said, "Obviously I know what Mora is. I wasn't aware people could get into the city. I didn't intend to cause such a ruckus. Can people from the outside really get into the city?" He enjoyed watching Jean squirm as she tried to figure out how to answer. She looked at Xiao and seemed to have a silent conversation that somehow ended with Heizou being the one to explain.