"Kunikuzushi"

Plan

Assuming that Scaramouche - if you could still technically call him that - stayed elsewhere to pack his things in preparation for your departure, you ought to do the same, yet the book that was handed to you seemed to prove more of a distraction than you imagined. Kunikuzushi keeping this tattered old thing as a diary with the intention of giving it back to you sounded sweet and all, but when exactly did he plan on giving it back? He had plenty of time to mention it during your impromptu stay at the camp in Mondstadt, on the boat to Fontaine, or even before meeting Dottore. Perhaps this was something he would consider 'embarrassing', especially if he were to post it to your Inazuman address only for the diary to never reach you. Though, the sentiment was appreciated. It was more than enough proof that he was thinking of you during the excessively long time apart. Just how many years had it been?

Dottore was rather content on staying with your company. Even after handing you the book he had yet to leave and tend to his own business. It felt as though he had more to mention to you but he remained quiet as he observed your mind drastically theorising over the scripture's contents. He crossed his arms and waited patiently for you to say something - anything - back to him. Leaving with unanswered questions was sure to do your head in, both of you knew this all too well. But when you did speak up first, it wasn't anything that he expected at all.

At first the doctor stumbled backwards, taken aback by the modesty your portrayed as you whipped your head down and bowed to him. It wasn't the type of bow that you presented to him as you dropped down on one knee when you first met him, it was an honest and sincere gesture of gratitude. With your head lowered, he couldn't decipher the expression on your face. Your hands were keenly by your sides and you leaned forward to extend your thankfulness. Dottore wasn't a man known for culture - a simple handshake would have probably meant the same thing to him, yet he frowned unexpectedly at the sudden gesture.

"Thank you," your voice was delicate as you expressed words of appreciation, "thank you for helping him. For keeping him safe." You were shaking, but rightfully so. The man who helped Kunikuzushi achieve his dream was standing before you. The man who dared to defy the electro archon's wishes and aid the puppet with unsealing his powers.
Dottore raised a brow, "It was purely for the will of Her Majesty, the Tsaritsa."
"Even so, I thank you. Thank you so much."

You raised yourself back up, completely unbothered by the confused expression garnered from Dottore and simply smiled as you snuggled the book into your chest. The man was stunned for words and since you could tell he wouldn't say anything more, to decision to return to your room and follow after Scaramouche was made concluded.

Though you, yourself, hadn't been indirectly told to leave, you were content on following the deity you swore an oath for even if his desires had already been fulfilled.

The bedroom door swung open as soon as you stepped foot in front of it, Scaramouche blocked the entrance with his hat alone and rested an arm on the doorframe. His actions barely surprised you anymore, but you stayed silent and allowed him to speak first. "Everything's ready to go, but we need to talk about where we plan on heading once we leave."

"..." It's true that you hadn't given this too much thought considering how you thought Kunikuzushi succumbed to the fatui irrational activities, but after hearing his confession to leave combined with the information that Inazuma abolished the Vision Hunt Decree as well as the Sakoku Decree, you began to ponder. "Alright."

His eyes peered over the book you held against your chest. They squinted, identifying the book from a long, long time ago, before a scowl morphed across his face. "You didn't read that... did you..?" His voice was astonishingly quiet as the question left his lips, forming a thin line of nervousness.
"Not yet, Dottore only just returned it to me-"