Meraki

Part 3 Chapter 0: Eternity's Vision Hunt Decree

After the events that occurred in the ruins, the trio returned to Liyue Harbor, where they learned Beidou and the Crux Fleet had returned. When they arrived on the ship, Beidou was talking to Kazuha, an Inazuman that escaped the Vision Hunt Decree.

"Hmm? Who've we got here?" Beidou wondered as the trio approached. "Wait, I know you guys. You're that traveler, Aether, aren't you? And you're the traveling bard, Venti. And the other guy is the adeptus, Star Seeker, right? The ones who fought against the Fatui and Osial?"

"Yes, that's correct." Astral answered. "And you may call me Sying."

"Have we met?" Aether asked.

"Haha, Ningguang told me about you." Beidou laughed. Kazuha turned his attention to the three strangers in front of him.

"You three give off not only the essence of wind and earth, but also of the stars." He said.

"That's the weirdest compliment I've ever received." Venti pointed out with a shrug.

"Pay it no heed. I mean only to say I am certain that it is by fate, not chance alone, that we should meet and that gives our encounter meaning." Kazuha stated.

"Are you a bard like me?" Barbatos inquired excitedly.

"This young man is Kaedehara Kazuha, a temporary addition to my crew for reasons I won't bore you with. Occasionally, he opens his mouth and flowers come out instead of words." Beidou told him.

"With this fine ship and the soft breeze, would it not be romantically irresponsible of me not to acknowledge it with a line or two of poetry?" The Inazuman questioned.

"Haha, can't argue with that. Okay, then, once we headout, I'll give you a chance to perform." Beidou agreed. With that, the Alcor set sail for Inazuma. While the boat sailed through the water, Sying looked like he was going to be sick. He was lying on the deck of the ship, holding his stomach.

"Sying, are you okay?" Aether asked.

"Uh, not really." The adeptus responded.

"He's afraid of water." Barbatos chimed in, getting the death glare from his friend on the floor.

"Shut up, Barbatos." Sying growled. There was a flash of purple lightning as he finished his threat, signaling they had crossed into Inazuman waters. The storm picked up and after many long hours, the Alcor arrived in Ritou, a town of Inazuma. The trio followed Beidou as she walked along the dock. A man with blond hair was sitting on a crate nearby, flipping a piece of mora. When he saw Beidou, he ran over excitedly.

"Ahoy, there!" He greeted. "So, you finally made it. You sure kept me waiting, Captain. And it appears we have a couple of stowaways, or perhaps I should say, honored guests." Aether shook his head and Venti laughed, making Sying sigh.

"You can blame your Almighty Shogun. The tempests around Inazuma have been growing all the more fierce lately. Though the fleet was fully up to the challenge, the inclement weather still caused some delay." Beidou told the blond. "Now then, let me introduce everyone. This is Thoma, a trade partner that I've gotten to know recently."

"Heh, you don't know how long I've been waiting to see you. There's no need for introductions, their reputation precedes them. Seems even the stormy seas can't keep rumors of these outlanders' sterling deeds at bay." Thoma spoke.

"Nice to meet you Thoma." Aether greeted the boy. Sying nodded his head in respect while Venti smiled. Beidou left after that, and Thoma decided to get the trio registered in Ritou. While they were there, the trio was forced to do some errands for Thoma, and after they completed them, the trio made their way to Komore Teahouse. When they entered, the first thing the group saw was a corgi sitting on the counter.