[ so zhongli and kaeya have made their own minds up, too. but to use that argument with her, it's as if childe doesn't know her well enough to understand that such relationships have never tied her down and she's used to walking down a path all by herself, even if it's the opposite to where everyone wishes to go to.

her lips thin, however, when aether's face once more form on the surface of the pool. and lumine closes her eyes to consider it more objectively. ]

So bringing him back isn't a certainty until she's gained the necessary power, then.

[ one that requires her obeisance. not that cyrus's promise to return their worlds to the way it was is convincing, either. neither's offer hold any water, trickling between fingers like sand, in her opinion. ]

... But isn't Alenroux under Yima's rulership? Maybe Meridian is just worried they'll lose access to the city if Zenith were to impose their win from the last conflict. [ a shrug: ] Or so I heard.