Cold Blooded

Snezhnaya

They returned to the inn late at night. Saya had decided that they should rebury the photos and kamera. She said they should make it their own secret tradition. They would all be splitting up in Snezhnaya on different assignments, but they would have this secret. Gisei had suggested that they meet up each year to share stories about their adventures and take a new picture. They had all agreed to the idea and sworn to it.

They got back to the inn a bunch of laughing tired messes and all promptly fell asleep. The next morning they boarded the ship and headed out to sea. The journey to Snezhnaya would only last around two or three days. It was weird, Chongyun had only been a part of the crew for a few weeks, but he knew he would miss them all.

He would miss Saya and Gisei, for sure. He would miss Andrei's rough laugh and Fangqi's snores each night. He would ever miss Zyrenia's cold glares and sharp remarks. It was nice having a challenge in his training, though her constant battering was a bit much. He would hopefully be able to see Saya and Gisei again each year if they stayed true to their secret spot in the forest. Yet, the crew would be forever split up after this last leg of the journey. Andrei and Zyrenia would stay on the Karlin, but everyone else was off to different assignments.

The reality of it all added an extra weight to Chongyun's shoulders. He had left all his friends in Liyue with no way to reach them, and now he would be separated from the friends he had just met. As Chongyun looked out at the rolling waves and the vast ocean, he resolved that he would find a way to meet with everyone again. He would come home to Liyue someday and he would find everyone else too.

It was late at night only a few days later. Saya, Gisei, and Chongyun all sat up in the crow's nest looking up at the stars. They weren't doing much, just joking around and swapping stories. It was free and calm, then a cold wind knocked Gisei's hat off his head. Saya managed to snatch it before it disappeared into the sea.

The three young fatui members all tensed and looked off towards where the gust had come from. There in the distance, a dock and the city behind it came into view. Snezhnaya. They were here.

They arrived at daybreak, their boat was instantly flooded with members of the fatui. They took the cargo from the hold and began calling orders every which way. The crew scrambled into their full uniform. They all crowded into Andrei's quarter for one last good-bye.

"I know you're all bustling to be in the country of our Tsaritsa, but be careful." Andrei looked at Gisei, Saya, and Chongyun slowly in turn. "You three are new to the ranks and probably haven't heard much of The Doctor. He is a very powerful man. Be respectful, don't get in his way, and do everything he says. Be cautious and remember your time as a part of this crew."

Andrei rose to his full height and smiled warmly at the three then looked at Fangqi and Zyrenia. "You will always be a member of the Karlin. May your compass always point north. Good luck, comrades."

"Aye, captain!" Saya said with a cheer. The three young recruits were wrapped into a big hug from Andrei. Fangqi came up and gave the captain a hand shake and a knowing look. They all then began to load out of the room and onto the deck.

"Hello there," A tall man, not in uniform, walked up to them and began to talk. "I believe I am here to take four recruits off to Master Dottore's institute."

"Yup," Fangqi walked up, "That's us. I'm here for my next assignment, but these three..." Fangqi ruffled the two boys' hair and smiled at Saya. "They'll be staying for a little while."

"I completely understand," the tall man smiled at Fangqi. It sent shivers down Chongyun's back. "Come with me, you four."

They followed the tall man and just as Chongyun was about to step off the boat he felt a hand on his shoulder. He jumped and spun around to see Zyrenia. Her head was down so he couldn't see her eyes, but she pressed something cold and sharp into the palm of Chongyun's hand.