𝚂𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚢 𝙰𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚝 [𝚐.𝚒 𝚟𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚡 𝚐𝚗!𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛]

XLIX

The sight stops your heart for a moment, thudding harshly in your chest. Your eyes desperately roam over his figure, looking for that small, glowing amulet, but finding nothing. It sends a spike of fear through your heart to see him stagger as he approaches, his face worn with eye bags and his smile failing to reach his eyes.

But as your group met him on the dock, you saw his posture straighten, attempting to present himself better than he obviously felt. "Hey! You finally made it! You sure kept me waiting, Captain." He chuckled, but his eyes were dull. "Got a couple of stowaways with you, hm?"

"Blame your almighty Shogun." Beidou responded mockingly, her heeled boots clacking against the wooden dock. "The tempests surrounding Inazuma are getting worse by the minute. It's a good thing we're always up to the challenge."

She turned to the three of you, the ones visible at least. Aether stood to your left and Ariel to your right, Paimon on the left of Aether, her feet kicking in the air.

Beidou waved her arm, a casual gesture. "Thoma, these are friends of mine. Aether, Paimon, [Y/n], meet Thoma. He's a trade partner I've gotten to know recently."

"Your reputations certainly precede you." Thoma chuckles lightly.

"The rumors tend to exaggerate-"

"It's so nice to hear you say that!" Paimon interrupted Aether, who only shot her a fond look.

Beidou sighed, her uncovered eye looking towards the slowly setting sun. "I think it's time I head out. Better to do it while we still have some light." Beidou turns back to you all with a playful smile on her lips. "Make sure to ask Thoma for help if you need it. He's a good one, but if he tries to pull one over on you, make sure to let me know. I'll set him straight,"

Thoma laughs, more genuine this time, almost unburdened by stress of his lack of vision. "I'm sure we'll get along just fine, Captain."

Beidou only smirks and nods. "I'll get going then. Don't want the lasting light revealing my fugitive. Fair travels you three, and goodbye Thoma." She walks off, her hips swaying cockily and her heels clacking against the dock.

When she's finally out of sight, back onto the Alcor, Thoma starts his instructions. "First we'll have to get you all registered at the border checkpoint."

You sighed, rubbing your forehead, already feeling a headache coming on. "This is why Mond is my favorite." You mutter petulantly.

Ariel snickered next to you and you shot him a soft glare. He shrugged. "I'm lucky I don't have to deal with this."

"Lucky you."

"Isn't it kind of dangerous to walk right into the government's hands?" Piped up Paimon, who was nervously wringing her hands.

"Well no matter how hard we try, we won't be able to escape the reach of the Sakoku degree." Thoma's smile turned just a bit mischievous, a strangely good look on him. "We'll be bending the rules just a bit.

We follow Thoma to meet an inspector named Kageyama. She held herself well, with a sweet face and easy demeanor. "Thoma, it's good to see you again." She smiled at him. Her gaze moved to you. "Hello. If you could please state your names, identity, and the purpose of your visit."

"Thoma should have our papers in order, ma'am." I jumped in before Paimon could flounder her way through the conversation.

Thoma nods and hands over the papers necessary. Kageyama checks over the entry papers, her sapphire eyes quick and sure. "It looks like everything is here. Welcome to Ritou."

"Next we'll have to head to the Outlander Affairs Agency."

"Ugh! Really? This place is so strict." Paimon groaned.