With and Without You (AetherxAyaka)

Chapter 3: Ritou Locked

Ayaka discussed about the Traveler with Thoma. Inazuma was in a dark time and had a long road ahead of it. The traveler would be critical to the path that Inazuma walks. She needed him in order to turn the tide of the vision hunt decree.

Ayaka has always played an important role for the Shogunate, but the vision hunt decree was something that Ayaka couldn't agree with. It was too brutal and wrong to strip the people of their visions. Not to mention that the vision hunt decree has a tendency to kill those that they claim the vision from.

It broke her innocent heart that their ruler has became so increasingly vindictive to her people.

The plan was somewhat set in motion. She decided that since Thoma was the one with connections to the Crux Fleet, it only makes sense that he is the one to meet Traveler upon his arrival to Inazuma.

From there Thoma would provide assistant and play the role of a fixer, which was already partially true. Ayaka explained to Thoma that she wants him test the Traveler. She knew Thoma was a man of skill, so she didn't go to much in detail on how she wanted this to play out. She left some room for Thoma to use his own intuition to test the traveler.

And he knew what she needed of him. Thoma knew exactly what kind of tests to put the traveler through.

Ayaka took a deep breath when she examined her own katana.

She might not admit it to Thoma, but she fears that her skill of the blade would be nothing compared to the Traveler's. Her whole life of learning the art of the blade as led her to this very moment.

As a person with a name that carries as much weight as hers does, she has to prove her strength. When and if the time comes, she will meet the Traveler. 

"Thoma, would you care to spar with me some more before the Traveler arrives?" 

He looked up to her and smiled. In all of the time he has worked for her, he's never seen her this determined.

Perhaps it is because the what happens next determines the very fate of all the people of Inazuma. 

"Of course m'lady"

...

Aether took his first step on the docks and stretched his arms. He took a deep breath of the air and the smell of the salty sea filled his nose. His traveling freind, Paimon, came from the nothingness to share the same thought he had, except she was much more vocal about it.

Beidou accompanied Aether on the dock until she met the fixer. She told Aether that the fixer would know everything that he needed. From passports to patrol units, the fixer would help Aether avoid any confrontations that he needed not to take.

The man was dressed in red attire some what similar to Kazuha's, but with its own tastes. This must have been the Inazuma style. They certainly took more of a silk attire blended with peices of samurai armour into their attires design.

Aether did have to admit, it was indeed fashionable and also good for combat.

The fixer was on one of the posts of the dock, but eagerly hopped from it when he was beckoned by Captain Beidou. Both seemed to be fairly acquainted with each other.

Who knows what kind if illegal pirate things they have agreed on in the past?

The fixer introduced himself as Thoma, the fixer of Inazuma. For once, Aether got to introduce himself. A simple hand on his chest and a smile before Aether spoke his name. It only seemed right, despite the fact that Thoma has a pretty good indication of who Aether was. Paimon certainly made sure to let Thoma know of her existence as well.