"Kunikuzushi"

Manners

[Smut chapter] 

The journey to a neighbouring island branching from Ritou was a pleasant one. It was rather simple getting past all these tightly restricted measures with a harbinger by your side, and one native to Inazuma too. You needn't say a word while Scaramouche handled all the small talk. While in most cases even the mighty Balladeer hadn't even needed to lift a finger and most locals or outlanders would understand to move aside or grant the two of you access.

Both of you boarded a ship belonging to the fatui.

It had been quite a while since you stepped foot anywhere near Ritou. The cold-hearted merchants and rigged tax laws usually scared people far, far away. Yet this was home to many that had the unfortunate experience of being an outlander stuck under the Sakoku Decree.

The ship was rather small: not cramped enough to consider it a boat however it was decked with an average sized lower deck leading to a bar and a series of bedrooms. The infamous logo marking the Fatui presence was signalled on all the sails blowing ferociously against the wind.

Scaramouche caught your wrist and dragged you alongside him. You weren't given the freedom to gaze and wander since this would be a busy ride. Fatui soldiers patrolled every inch of the deck, eyeing your every move and questioning your presence on board. It was a struggle trying not to give them too much attention, even if the occasional soldier shared secret sympathetic smiles with you or not.

The harbinger guided you to the lower deck, leading you to rest at the bar where a barista welcomed you with cautious eyes. You were offered a drink, to which you politely declined. Being on board such a grand ship had your nerves on edge - you figured that drinking might worsen that effect in ways you could not control.

Scaramouche joined you by the bar after he finalised whatever business he had on the upper deck.

He sat next to you on a lone stool and gave you an odd look.

"You aren't going to drink?" He flashed his eyebrows to the barista, who understood immediately and began preparing a drink at the unspoken request. You shook your head to his question and Scaramouche hummed. "Your loss."

The drink was slid against the table and placed in front of the harbinger. He picked it up and swirled its contents around the small glass, allowing the sweet yet strong smell to waft into his nostrils.

"I needed to talk to you about your role here." Scaramouche spun around on his stool and leaned his back against the counter. No words left your mouth as you waited patiently for him to continue speaking. "I intended for you to work as an accomplice of sort, someone capable of committing to the field or paperwork specifically at my request." The drink in his hand continued to swirl in a circular motion, indicating that he had much more to explain. "Almost like a secretary, but in your case you'd be following me around like a shadow." Scaramouche brushed a few hairs out of his face to catch a glimpse of your reactions. His eyes were narrowed with curiosity, while his tone was quiet and neutral, for a change. He seemed to be in a good state of mind. "There's quite a large amount of training involved too, but I won't have some pathetic soldier take care of that. I intend to train you myself."

"Am I correct to assume that newcomers aren't blessed to be training with harbingers on their very first day?" You smiled nervously despite your obviously mocking tone which Scaramouche easily ignored.
"Correct. You are far stronger than the mentors themselves, but still ultimately weak." He teased, causing you to roll your eyes at him. "I'll make sure to change that, so you have a means of survival among the fatui."

You were supposedly thankful for having Scaramouche tend to almost all your needs upon joining the fatui. If you were thrown into this craziness on your own then you wouldn't know of a way to survive. This was in both of your best interests. Scaramouche now had an excuse to keep you close to him, he couldn't have been happier.