Y/n was a woman who had lost everything, while Scaramouche was a puppet on the road to the one thing he'd always been searching for. Through Y/n's crimes against the Fatui, they met when Scaramouche sought her out to execute her, but things didn't q...
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V. REMEMBERING THE LAND OF ETERNITY
Inazuma was unmoving, just as the Shogun wanted it to be. An eternity of stillness. Scaramouche sometimes wished he had been unchanging as well, when he awoke from his slumber. He always managed to strike those thoughts down with reminders of how powerful he was because of the Fatui unleashing his full potential. Of course, the process itself was unbelievably excruciating, but worth it in the end. Someday, he hoped to show Ei that she was horribly wrong to deem him "weak".
But now was not the time for that.
"What the hell are you doing!? Slacking off?" He snapped. "Get back to work!"
The men before him cowered and scrambled out of the room to guard different sections of the factory. At times, he had a hard time believing people could be so idiotic. He hated all of them so much that it scorched his bones.
—♛—
"T-That's her house! The witch!"
"Uh huh! Please help us, Mister! Or else she might eat all the kids in the village!"
As one of the children tugged on his cape while hiding behind him, he gave a half hearted smile. He was sure there wasn't a witch at all, but the kids practically dragged him to your house. They all looked at him with pleading eyes. He sighed and scratched the back of his neck.
"Alright, I'll help you..."
The children cheered in hushed voices and high-fived each other victoriously. They watched with determined smiles on their faces as their savior walked up to the front door and knocked hesitantly. He didn't want to bother whatever person was being called a "witch", but he felt obligated to.
Soon enough, you pulled the door open and your eyes widened at the sight of an unfamiliar face in otherworldly garments. He had long, gold hair that was tied back in a braid, as well as a scarf with the addition of a cape-like cloth that hung lower than his waist in the back. The majority of his outfit was brown, aside from the gold lining and the few spots where purple shined through. You'd never gotten such a visitor before; only children ever decided to go see you and confirm whether the rumors about you were true or not. You assumed their parents thought them ridiculous.
"Hi, sorry to bother you," Aether smiled, giving you a small wave. "Those kids back there insisted that I talk to you and tell you not to... eat them."
You glanced over his shoulder and saw all the village children poorly trying to hide behind bushes, "...I see."
Something in your eyes made him wary. You looked to be off in your own place, like he'd just disturbed your world peace. He took a step back and prepared himself to draw his weapon if needed.
"It's not that I think you're a witch, I just- thought they might leave you alone if I do this!" He added.
"฿Ɇ ₵₳Ʉ₮łØɄ₴."
"Oh!" You laughed. "For a second, I thought you actually believed them!"
He flinched at the sound of your boisterous laughter, wondering what was so hilarious to you. He didn't question it, though. Instead, he forced out a chuckle of his own.
"C'mon, are you gonna fight her or not!?" Paimon screeched from the bushes.
"Paimon!" He groaned, turning his head to look at her.
"What?! This is getting boring!"
"And... who is that?" You asked, internally debating whether you wanted to act violently towards him or not. He was unknown; a stranger, and the unknown always seemed to be a danger to you. Not only did you not recognize him as he showed up to your house, but he was clearly from an entirely different realm.
"₮ⱧɆɎ ₵ØɄⱠĐ ฿Ɇ ₳ ₮ⱧⱤɆ₳₮."
"That's just my emergency food. Her name's Paimon," Aether answered. "Oh, and I'm Aether, by the way."
"F/n," you nodded.
"₲Ɇ₮ ⱤłĐ Ø₣ ⱧɆⱤ."
"What brings you to Inazuma?" You inquired. "I've never seen attire like yours before, so... you're a traveler, right?"
"Yeah. I'm looking for someone," he said, his tone suddenly darker. "Well... I'm trying to reunite with them."
You wanted to ask why he rephrased his response, but decided against it, "Ah... Well, good luck in your journey, then."
He smiled, "Thanks. I'll get going now."
You heard the sudden sound of ice from nearby and gasped violently, practically swallowing your own tongue until you coughed and regained your composure. Rationally, you knew it wasn't real, but it required every ounce of strength in your body not to look around to check that you were safe.
"Sorry, that happens occasionally," you said.
"Okay..."
He was wondering how the children could've perceived you as a witch, with such behavior. You seemed... sickly. He looked back to the children and sighed at their anticipatory gazes. You narrowed your eyes at him until he returned his eyes to you. Your smile returned.
"ⱧɆ ĐØɆ₴₦'₮ ₮ⱤɄ₴₮ ɎØɄ."
You cleared your throat, "Well, thank you for dealing with this! I appreciate it."
"No problem," he replied as the floating fairy took her place beside him, hovering beside his head.
"...Emergency food," you muttered as you observed her appearance. She looked strange as well, and she would even if she wasn't remarkably small and floating.
"Stop calling Paimon that!" She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at Aether.
You wanted to laugh. Her response clearly showed how bothered she was, and those were the types of reactions you loved.
"Ah, wait," you said, prompting them to stop and look back at you. "Who are you looking for?"
"Oh," Aether smiled. "My twin sister."
"₳₩, ₱ØØⱤ ₭łĐ. ₳ ₴Ⱨ₳₥Ɇ ł₮ Ⱨ₳Đ ₮Ø ĐłɆ."
Your heart palpitated slowly, like the constant ticking of a bomb preparing to explode. You hastily glanced between them while they both seemed bewildered by your reaction, but you didn't care.
