An endless ice sea. Jibril walked on the frozen surface. Above her, the Milky Way spanned the sky, and several massive dark shadows swam beneath the ice.
On the distant ice sea horizon, three moons were slowly rising. Half of each moon disc was above the ice surface, and the other half was still below the sea level, their craters clearly visible.
The ice surface reflected the shadows of the half-white moons, combining with the half-moons in the sky to form three perfect full circles.
The girl sat fishing in the moonlight shadow, her long sea rod suspended over an ice hole containing a pool of deep blue seawater.
Jibril gradually realized that she was probably dreaming.
"What's going on?" Jibril stopped behind the girl. "Is this supposed to be interesting?"
She knew without thinking that the girl fishing was the System. This scene couldn't be natural, at least not a natural scene that could appear in Teyvat today. Only the System had the power and the idleness to materialize such a vision.
"It's our first time meeting like this. Don't you think this scene is beautiful? Hoyo really should put this into the game, don't you agree too, host?" The System said smiling.
Her attire certainly looked like she was out ice fishing: a heavy black woolen coat, fine deerskin boots, and a few strands of black hair escaping from the ear-covering bearskin hat, contrasting with her pale, frozen cheeks.
The only thing that seemed to hold any warmth was the pair of fiery golden pupils, identical to her own.
"Then please, next time, can you create a scene that isn't so cold? Like an island full of beautiful girls in swimsuits... I might actually be interested in chatting with you then." Jibril said while shivering and sat down beside the System, hugging her knees.
"It's freezing cold. Are we here to admire the moon? I'm practically freezing to death..."
"Cold? But your body is lying in a soft quilt, perhaps being embraced by a girl who is equally unclothed."
"...We were both wearing clothes."
The System looked at the blushing Flügel, shook her head helplessly and handed over the item in her hand.
It was a soft cashmere scarf, wrapped around a warm Hand Stove.
Jibril wrapped the cashmere scarf around herself and put her hands near the Hand Stove. A warm current immediately surged into her body, and her limbs and bones became active, like a zombie resurrected from the grave.
She had to admit that this lesbian weirdo was quite thoughtful. Recalling every chat she had with the System, even though it usually ended with either her or the System being half-dead with anger, it always reminded her of the world before she transmigrated.
Feeling warm, the Flügel began to observe the place she was in.
Three gigantic full moons, a silent sea surface, and fishing side by side—it was quite atmospheric. If only there were a small can of good wine and if the system was replaced by Lumine... "You seem to be thinking something quite rude." the System's cold voice came through.
Jibril scratched her head awkwardly, just about to argue, when the System handed her something else: a flat metal can.
"McKinley Whiskey. The earliest polar explorers loved to drink it." the System said. "It's said that after drinking this, you can jump straight into the ice sea for a winter swim."
"Can you also cosplay Professor X? How do you know everything I'm thinking?"
[T/L: Someone from the Marvel verse and has the power to read minds/control?]
Jibril popped open the can and took a sip. It was indeed just as the System had described, like Diluc's ult striking directly into her stomach. The heat spread throughout her body, making her feel completely warm.
"Because you are my host and I am your System. Strictly speaking, I am here specifically to serve you, so of course, I know what you need." the System smiled faintly. "Just like I've always known that you need to be properly cared for by other girls."
"You bastard, t-this... this is practically forcing a decent girl into prostitution!" Jibril glared fiercely at the System, though her tone wasn't as forceful as her words. "Right, you simply don't understand love."
"Short legs, washboard chest, and that baby face—you look exactly like someone who hasn't developed yet!"
The System turned its face to look at Jibril, her expression pitiful, as if about to burst into tears. "Gabriela, saying that really hurts my feelings. Honestly, you're the one I care about the most. I didn't even save a second can of alcohol for myself."
Is she calling me by my real name...? Ugh, how disgusting... "Care? Does caring mean telling me to find someone else as my master? Did you feed your conscience to yourself?"
"..."
"You know what? We could have been great friends. I can tell she likes me somewhat... maybe it's because of my wings? But definitely not my body! Give up, your ship is dead!"
After a brief silence, Jibril, who still hadn't received a response, looked up at her side.
The petite, black-haired "girl" stared intently at the ice hole, gripping the fishing rod tightly with both hands. She was completely absorbed, like a monk in meditation; she wouldn't move even if the Heaven's Strike.
[T/L: heh..]
Jibril was annoyed and nudged her shin with her elbow.
"Hey, what are you fishing for?"
"Host, I am fishing for 'fish,' a big 'fish'." The System finally replied, though her expression was ambiguous. "You are right. Although you will definitely end up with Lumine, love cannot be forced. But I must do something for you, mustn't I?"
"Once this 'fish' takes the bait, even the Heavenly Principles will submit at your feet. Possessing the power of both the Flügel Race and them, you will be omnipotent, truly like David bearing the hosts of Jehovah!"
[T/L: I think that's a reference to the bible?]
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Jibril placed the can of alcohol by her feet and looked at the System's face.
The "girl" fell silent again, letting Jibril examine her. It seemed only the fishing rod and whatever was beneath the sea could capture her attention.
She was still smiling, but somewhere along the way, a hint of coldness had crept into her smile.
Jibril took off the scarf, discarded the Hand Stove, and turned to walk in the opposite direction of the three giant moons. She didn't know where she was going; she just felt she shouldn't continue chatting nonsense with the System. She was either talking about smut or acting like a charlatan... they had no common language... Splash! Just then, the fish the System was waiting for took the bait.
Jibril instinctively looked back and saw the girl, framed by the three overlapping moon shadows, hoisting the sea rod high. The fishing line, dangling in the air, pulled something out of the water... A black giant dragon! The massive creature rampaged through the sky, roaring and howling, and actually crushed two of the moons!
Damn it! She had never imagined that the System's deep-sea catch would be a dragon! A black giant dragon!
Is this still the Genshin verse?!
Before she could scream, the System had already reached out, grabbed the dragon by the neck and stuffed it into the fish basket at its feet. No one knew how she managed to do this, but she succeeded effortlessly.
"Alright, we have roasted fish today. Hmm... maybe it's not suitable for breakfast. I'll save it for dinner! It needs to be sliced seven times; that way, it will absorb the flavor better." The System hoisted the fish basket onto her shoulder and turned to leave.
"Hurry and leave. The deity of this great sea has died and the flames that will destroy the world are about to ignite..."
The sound of the tide swept in. Jibril fearfully turned back and saw black tidal waters surging up from the ice cracks into the sky, clashing fiercely with the descending flames. The ice surface collapsed beneath her feet; the entire world was being torn apart by the tide and the fire, and the last moon shed a tear of blood.
She struggled to fly into the sky, but she could only watch helplessly as the tidal wave swallowed her whole—
The morning light was faint, and another dream was gently enveloped by shimmering light and delicate fragrance.
Paimon's noisy voice could still be heard faintly.
"Lumine—"
"Lumine—!"
"Paimon's hungry!!"
The high-pitched calls came one after another, reaching Lumine's ears with increasing clarity, causing her delicate brows to furrow. Drowsily, she reached her small hand forward, trying to press down on the noisy little creature.
However, she didn't grab Paimon. Instead, a different warm, soft sensation came from her palm...?
What was this... a doll? A pillow? No... Her head felt heavy and groggy, and she couldn't react immediately. Lumine slowly shifted her body and moved closer. The scent lingering in her breath wasn't the familiar floral fragrance either.
After a moment of fluttering her eyelashes, she opened her eyes.
What met her eyes was a burst of vibrant color.
After being stunned for a few seconds, the girl realized that it wasn't a real rainbow.
That was... Jibril's hair? When did she snuggle up again...? Lumine blinked blankly. She gradually realized that she had indeed spent another night on the same bed as this beautiful girl.
The girl with cherry-pink hair was sleeping quietly beside her.
The girl was facing away from her, her tall, slender body slightly curled up. Her shoulders were slightly exposed, and her smooth long hair was scattered across the white sheet. A few strands framed her profile, resting near her lips, rising and falling with her steady breathing.
That was Jibril.
Asleep, she lacked the powerful, heart-stopping aura she usually possessed, resembling a quiet, insecure, pedigreed cat.
The fair hand extending from the quilt was tightly clutching the sheet. Perhaps she was having a nightmare; her delicately furrowed brows revealed a heartbreaking fragility that made Lumine frown too.
Her forehead seemed to hurt badly.
Lumine propped herself up with one hand, gently pressed her forehead with the other, and looked around.
The familiar wardrobe, the large mirror on the carved dressing table, the bay window facing the street... this was indeed a hotel room.
Last night, she had finalized the plan with Diluc. After that... what happened?
Tilting her head in thought for a moment, memories began to trickle back.
Last night... she, Jibril, and Paimon were at the tavern. Venti said he wanted a few drinks, and Jibril pestered him to teach her how to play the lyre.
Later... later, she got thirsty while chatting and couldn't resist drinking some alcohol... she had another glass of Dandelion Wine... she and Jibril started foolishly clinking glasses and talking nonsense—she forgot what they said—and then she started getting sleepy... and then, there seemed to be nothing after that.
She had no idea how she got back into bed, nor what time she returned. She couldn't remember anything.
Gently lifting the quilt, she found that she hadn't even changed into pajamas; she was still wearing her dress... Jibril must have carried her over, right? But Jibril was also drunk, so she must have just collapsed and fallen asleep here too?
Tsk, it seems her alcohol tolerance lost to Jibril's... Thinking this, Lumine, as if possessed, raised a finger and tentatively poked towards Jibril's cheek.
Snap!
Before she could touch that flawless skin, her wrist was suddenly seized.
"...Eh?"
As she was stunned, the entire bedroom suddenly darkened. A buzzing sound swept past her ears, followed by a sharp pain in her wrist. The next moment, a delicate yet fierce fist, carrying a strong gust of wind, shot straight toward her face.
You kill even in your dreams!?
Lumine tilted her head to dodge the attack, scrambling toward the edge of the bed with her hands and feet while shouting loudly at Jibril "Stop hitting me! Jibril, it's me! It's me!"
Boom!Whoosh—
Amidst the flying sheets and pillows, Jibril soared into the air.
She slowly opened her eyes in mid-air. Her golden crossed eyes, radiant like the sun, quickly turned confused after a moment of sharpness.
That aura came quickly and left just as fast.
"Uh, what... are you doing?" Jibril asked confusedly, looking at the blonde lying supine at the edge of the bed with one leg still resting on it.
She landed back on the bed, and her slender right arm, which contained terrifying elemental power, slowly lowered. Only then did Lumine finally breathe a sigh of relief.
They had slept together twice in total, and each time was more... thrilling.
Lumine rubbed her reddened wrist, rolled her eyes irritably at Jibril, and repeated Jibril's earlier question with emphasis. "What were you doing?"
Looking at the girl climbing back onto the bed with messy hair, Jibril tucked the strands that were nearly in her mouth behind her ear and gave an awkward smile.
"I'm sorry, Lumine. I had a... nightmare."
"A nightmare?" Lumine was startled for a moment, then huffed. "Then why did you hit me?! Did I scare you in your dream?!"
Although she didn't let Jibril off the hook verbally, Lumine thoughtfully leaned forward and wiped the thin layer of sweat from Jibril's forehead.
She stroked the messy, tense, yet still divinely beautiful girl before her with a hint of helplessness.
Jibril hadn't taken off her clothes either. After sleeping all night and going through the vigorous movements just now, the thin, wrinkled pure white fabric on her body had already slipped down.
Large expanses of skin were exposed in the faint morning light, along with a cleavage that wasn't deep but was clearly more substantial than her own.
Before the other party could look over, Lumine quickly shifted her gaze...
Tsk...
It would have been better if I had just squeezed it flat earlier.
"What's wrong?" Jibril asked, puzzled.
"No, nothing." Lumine shook her head. "Was your dream very scary?"
Jibril didn't answer. She silently floated down to the floor and stood by the bed. After scooping up the still-sleeping Paimon, she turned and walked toward the bathroom.
"Get ready, let's go eat... I'm a little hungry."
As the door shut with a bang, the sound of trickling water soon came from the room.