A Former Enemy

2

*The Traveler pushed open the door and entered the tavern. It was not empty inside, there was a fairly large number of people talking with each other and playing card games. The Traveler pointed to a table near the wall where no one was sitting.*

Traveler: Let's sit here.

*The three of them sat at this table. There was an awkward and expectant silence... The Traveler spoke first...*

Traveler: ...Ato..?

Ato: Yes?

*The Traveler sighed, choosing her words. Paimon looked at them both.*

Traveler: I have a few questions that I need to ask you... and you need to tell the truth, okay?

Ato: Okay.

*The Traveler exhaled again and looked at him for a moment before asking her question...*

Traveler: ...Have you seen Scaramouche lately?

Ato: ... No. And what about him?

*The Traveler was a bit surprised by his answer, but tried not to change her expression.*

Traveler: You... haven't met each other at all?

Ato: I haven't seen him for a long time after he left Inazuma... And what?

*The Traveler's face became a little different...*

Traveler: I see...

*Paimon immediately noticed this and looked at her with a meaningful look.*

*The Traveler coughed, then looked at Paimon, which Paimon immediately understood. Paimon looked at Ato again, staring into his eyes.*

Paimon: Um... can I ask you a question too?

Ato: Okay.

*Paimon leaned forward, her expression serious.*

Paimon: Be honest with me, okay?

Ato: I'll try.

*Paimon nodded slowly and took a deep breath before asking the question...*

Paimon: ...Have you... ever been friends with Scaramouche?

Ato: No.

*As Paimon heard his answer, her eyes widened in surprise...*

Paimon: Really? You and Scaramouche... were not friends!?

Ato: Alas. But it's true.

*Paimon still seemed surprised, and the Traveler was just as surprised...*

Paimon: Oh...

Ato: Why are you asking about him? Have you seen him somewhere?

*For a moment, Paimon glanced at the Traveler, then continued to look at Ato...*

Paimon: Actually... yes, we did see him...

Ato: Oh... I see... And where did you see him?

*Paimon still looked at him for a moment before replying...*

Paimon: We... saw him at Sumeru... He now goes by the nickname Wanderer...

Ato: Wanderer... I see. So he's here... with a new name. And what is he doing here?

*When Ato asked this question, Paimon and Traveler both seemed to freeze up. The Traveler shook her head as Paimon quickly tried to dodge the question...*

Traveler: Uh... well, he's just traveling around...

Ato: *He raised an eyebrow.* Traveling around? This is all?

*Paimon and Traveler couldn't tell if Ato was just curious or suspecting something. But they still tried to make it look casual...*

Paimon: Yeah... he's a Wanderer, of course he's traveling around! Heh-heh...

Ato: Hm... it's... strange. Are you sure?

*The Traveler shifted in her chair, and Paimon was starting to get a bit nervous...*

Traveler: Y-yeah... we're sure. He's just... walking around and exploring the world...

Ato: Well... Considering that he did some bad things... He's up to something... Why are you reacting like this?

*The Traveler and Paimon were so surprised by this that they froze for a moment before quickly trying to convince Ato of the opposite...*

Traveler: No, no! It's not that at all! Trust me...

Paimon: Yeah! Wanderer is perfectly fine now! He's... completely changed!

Ato: And how am I supposed to believe that?