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

L

Inazuma being so locked down made you continuously thank Venti for having such an open country.

After being denied at the border, meeting up with the Kanjou Commissioner, being recruited by his daughter, and sneaking out of Ritou the next day, you were ready to face plant into another inn bed or your bed in Aether's teapot, you honestly weren't feeling all too picky right about now.

Unfortunately, you and Aether were trudging along the path to Narukami Island to get to the Kamore Teahouse. While a part of you was excited to meet Ayaka, and see Thoma again, a bigger part of you was dreading the coming conversation.

Eventually you all make it to the teahouse, handing over your invitation to the attendant and slipping inside.

The teahouse itself could only be described as cozy. The walls were beige, accented with deep brown wood, clean but worn. Sunlight fought through the paper curtains, dosing the room in warm light and paper lanterns gently swayed as they hung from the ceiling. Directly in front of you was a counter with a proper looking dog sitting atop it, its eyes sweet and happy. The back wall was lined with shelves filled with pots and bonsais, and one incense burner with smoke curling out the top.

"Paimon doesn't see Thoma anywhere." She huffed and planted her fists on her hips. "Did he forget his promise?"

Before you could respond, a voice from the back wall spoke.

"Who's forgotten their promise? I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about me!"

Paimon screeched and pointed at the calm dog. "T-the dog! It's speaking to us!"

"What? You've never seen me in this form before?" Thoma's voice playfully drawled.

The look of shock on Paimon's face had you wanting to burst out laughing, but it was Aether's look of genuine confusion that had you covering your mouth to hide your snickers.

"You're a dog..." Aether whispered, and from the corner of your eye you saw the look of utter befuddlement on Ariel's face, seriously scrutinizing the poor boy.

"So, you've never seen something like this in Liyue Harbor?"

"Thoma, please." You shook your head and laughed. "I think we have a bit more important things to discuss."

From the back wall, Thoma appeared, looking no better than when you had last seen him on Ritou. His smile was strained, his face gaunt, and his hair had dulled, once the color of golden wheat now a dishwater blond. It was as if the saturation, the life, was slowly draining from his body.

"Alright, I've had my fun." He chuckled, approaching your group to speak more comfortably.

"You're very close to getting an ugly nickname, mister!" Paimon scolded, waving her finger at him.

"I've had a lot of time to kill since I've been waiting for you." He shrugged.

"It's been, like, a day." You raised your eyebrow.

"Every minute lasts hours when you're always fighting."

You couldn't tell if that comment was for the fight against the pain and struggle of losing his vision or the fight against the Electro Archon, but the look in his eyes and clamped your mouth shut, haunted and sad and almost... empty.

"However, I would like to apologize for the 'test' I put you all through, despite it being necessary." His lips twitched up. "It helped me determine if you could be brought before Miss Kamisato, and whether or not you could face the lighting alongside us."

"I don't hate to remind you, but I've already told you that neither I nor my companions will be participating in the difficulties your country faces." Aether's face is hard, but he does take a second to bow his head respectfully. "I appreciate all the help you've given us, but we have other things to worry about."