||KazuScara|| I'm bad at titles help (!!DISCONTINUED!!)

Welcome to Sumeru, Kazuha (Part 12)

Kazuha followed close behind the Traveler and Paimon who were happily chatting away, while he silently chuckled at their amusing bickering as they walked along the long green grass, decorated with lovely purple roses.

His right hand was still clutching the hilt of his sword, and his left hand held the scabbard in place. He was vigilant of his surroundings, keeping note of the course they took, any landmarks, or any enemy camps they effortlessly crept past.

Aether turned to him. "Kazuha! I hope you don't mind, but since he's probably not awake yet, we're going to stop by a friend's house right over—" He raised a hand and pointed to a small village in Avidya Forest. "—There!"

Paimon spun around before adding to those words. "Mhm!" She exclaimed in her shrill voice, "His name is Tighnari, he's one of the first people we met on our first journey here!"

"Ah, it's nice meeting new people in a new place." He gave a small smile, trekking through the thick grass to the village.

They eventually made it to the village, which Kazuha found out later, was called Gandharva Ville. Aether led the way, leading him along wooden walkways, lined with wooden houses that were decorated in leaves and other plant accents. Kazuha followed along, feeling a bit unsure, almost timid.

"Ah! Traveller!!" A sweet voice called out, from somewhere. Kazuha glanced around to find the owner of said voice. His eyes caught a flash of light green hair, and he focused on the figure. She was a young girl, possibly around 15, and around her shoulders, she wore a sage green capelet with yellow highlights.

Paimon did a full-body wave, then ran (floated?) over to the teen.

"Collei!! How have you been?" Traveller greeted, following close behind Paimon. Kazuha stayed behind, still walking at a slow pace. 

He was not prepared to have to socialize so much today. His social battery was already depleted from being with Fischl, and then walking with the Traveler here. Don't get him wrong, he loves Fischl! She's like a sister to him at this point but she is a lot, and he is drained.

After watching them do their greetings, he was ready to sit somewhere and let them catch up a bit. Upon closer inspection, he realized Collei was sneaking suspicious glances at the Inazuman. He locked eyes with her for a split second, giving her as comforting a smile as he could. She returned it, but her eyes seemed unsure of his presence. Aether noticed this interaction and waved Kazuha over. He strolled over and stood next to the blonde.

He reached his hand out for a polite handshake, but put his hand back down when he saw the girl shrink with hesitance. He instead lowered his head, introducing himself.

"I apologize for being rude, my name is Kaedehara Kazuha." He apologized, before raising his head. "And I assume your name is Collei."

She scratched the back of her head sheepishly and gave a small smile. "A-ah. Yes. Nice to meet you Kazuha, Welcome to Gandharva Ville." She stuttered, grinning awkwardly.

Kazuha nodded before turning to Aether. "So, if this is Collei, where is Tighnari?"

Instead of Aether replying as he had expected, Collei responded.

"Ah! You guys are looking for Master Tighnari? He's in his house right now, actually! He just got back from a trip to Sumeru City, so you guys are in luck." She voiced with her hands behind her back timidly. 

Paimon gave her their thanks, and Aether continued to lead Kazuha to Tighnari's house. He followed behind closely, paying no mind to Paimon's comments and Aether's remarks. 

If he were to be completely honest, this was unbelievable. Here he was in a new beautiful, if he may, region. Incomparable to Inazuma with its tall trees and huge plants, blue skies, and green is everywhere, a wonderful shade of healthy green, nothing like you see in Inazuma. Inazuma's scenery is gorgeous, he will not lie, but it's different.

Along with the fact he is here to find some guy he met in a cave a few weeks ago, who is probably barely comfortable with his presence, who also just, disappeared without a word, but...

Ah, never mind.

They entered a small wooden hut which Kazuha assumed was Tighnari's and followed suit. Inside sat a young man with dark hair tinted a forest blue, with three light green streaks in the front. Atop his head, there were large... fox ears. He was sitting at a small desk, writing away with a pen that he was spinning in his hand subconsciously.

His large ears twitched, and Tighnari turned around, catching the pen and placing it down. His expression was naturally profound, but the second he saw the Traveler, his face broke out into a small smile.

"Ah, Aether and Paimon! It's nice to see you again," He greeted before his eyes flicked over to Kazuha.

Extending a hand in greeting, he spoke. "Nice to meet you, my name is Tighnari."

"Likewise." He shakes his hand with a kind smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Tighnari. I'm Kaedehara Kazuha, from Inazuma."

Kazuha stepped a little further inside once Tighnari leaned back in his chair, turning back to his work. While he worked, he spoke.

"What brings you here, Kazuha?" He asked, jotting down words and notes on a small notepad, something about leaves and plants.

He remains silent, thinking and hesitating to reply. Aether replies for him.

"He's here to see a friend," he replies simply with a kind smile. Tighnari nods and does not ask him to elaborate.

There's an awkward silence for a while, the only sound in the room being Tighnari's pen scratching against the paper as he writes.

This has been quite an experience for Kazuha. He had woken up on an empty beach of a place he's never been to before, he went to Liyue to find the traveller, who told him that the guy he was looking for was in a coma because he... tried to become a god... and was defeated. 

A quiet sigh is heard from Aether before he speaks up.

"Tighnari, have you heard anything from Nahida?" he asks, Paimon floating idly behind him.

Tighnari looks back at him and simply shakes his head 'No'. Aether gives a small nod in reply, then gestures to Kazuha to leave.

"Alright then, thank you for your help Tighnari!" Aether calls back as he, Kazuha and Paimon leave Tighnari's house. They wave goodbye to Collei and begin on a path upwards. Kazuha keeps vigilant, hand tight around the hilt of his blade. They wander through neat paths and tall green grass, through brightly coloured flowers and trees. 




Authors note - Y'all, I am so sorry for my lack of updating skills, I don't really have a schedule. If anyone is really itching to read more, DM me and motivate me. ;-;