Fingers Crossed [Hiatus]

Flawed

The royal bath in Tenshukaku is now filled with voices of old men discussing which tea leaf is the best for herbal brews.

Ayato dips quietly in his corner while Hiiragi Shinsuke and Kujou Takayuki, the other Commissioners, talk to each other closely. Thankfully, the hot water is pleasant enough to keep Ayato entertained. Otherwise, he would already be outside, excusing himself to take a break from the boring gathering. Ayato leans with his back on the pool corners, his eyes shut to enjoy the luxury of being completely ignored.

"What about you, Kamisato, do you have some tea brewing experience?"

Ah, why do they have to jinx it? Ayato opens his eyes lazily to face the other Commissioners. The tea brewing that they just spoke about is not the tea brewing you have in mind. Their real intention was to ask whether Ayato has ever tasted a weed tea before. Their big web of connections made it easier to get anything in their wishes, so it is not very surprising to find out that these old men casually talk about brewing tea to get high.

"I don't," Ayato keeps his thin smile and warm tone in his answers "My family looks up to me so I shouldn't give them a bad example."

The Kanjou Commissioner expressed his disappointment on his face "Ah, you shouldn't limit yourself. You should experience the most of what Teyvat could offer. There are plenty of options that we can pick because we have the ability, so why don't we try them all?"

"Yeah, and also, you should cherish your youth to the point you know what is paramount bliss." Kujou Takayuki points himself and Hiiragi beside him "We, the older generation, are unable to enjoy our youth because our parents already put strict rules when we were young," Then he points to Ayato without hesitation "You don't have anyone to tell you around, so you better not take it for granted."

With great effort, Ayato keeps his breath even and his mouth shut. Once they stop talking to him, he will immediately leave this place. Archons knew how much he despise this, but he must keep his manners for a bit more.

"And by the way," Lord Kujou turns to his side for a moment and see his friend nods, before he continues to speak to Ayato "I just got a batch of brand new tea leaves from Snezhnaya. Top-quality. It would be memorable if your first tea brewing experience is a brain-whacking one, so you should try it with us."

Hiiragi smoothen his voice and agree with Kujou "We can discuss about the solution to our past disagreements. It's about time the Tri-Commission to have one voice and one mind, don't you think so, Kamisato?"

If glaring could kill, the two men would already split in half because of the way Ayato looks at them. The water around him doesn't feel warm anymore because his blood boils to the point where it beats the water temperature.

"A lovely suggestion, my Lords."

Ayato crossed his arms on his chest. His gesture might be seen as a rude one, but he can't help it. There is no holding back anymore "But I'm afraid I must reject. And before you ask, my reason is simply because I lack the interest to mingle with you both."

Kujou Takayuki scoffs at Ayato as he seems to already know what Ayato would say to their proposal "Your father was a more reasonable man. He knows what to do in dire times and he opens himself to as many options he can get, and you know well that he passed away as a respected man. But you? You're a blockhead who doesn't know your place in the courts. Your clan would be damned, because you dragged them to their death holes for your disdainful persona. Your haughty manners will know what is the price of opposing us, Kamisato."

To their surprise, Ayato laughs. His rasp chuckle rang through the silent room and it choked the old men with gripping curiosity of what made him laughs. Shinsuke and Takayuki wished in their hearts to see Ayato stops laughing. But as time pass, he didn't stop. They are hopelessly stuck in their places as Ayato laughs louder.