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

LI

We traveled back to Kamore Teahouse. The warmth greets us as we walk through the door, surrounding us and bringing a bit of levity to our moods.

You listen carefully as Ayaka patiently explains each one of Aether's questions about the Raiden Shogun and the Vision Hunt Decree. When Ayaka issues the mission to retrieve the captured fake vision manufacturer, you turn to Aether with a sheepish smile.

"No. You're coming with me." Aether shakes his head. "I am not doing this on my own. I did the busy work in Liyue on my own, you're doing this with me."

"I did some of the busy work in Liyue!" You respond indignantly.

"But not all of it. You ditched me."

"I did do that." You nod in agreement. "But with this, I really won't be any help and I want to work on my meditation. Please?"

Aether frowns. "Fine. But this time, it's an IOU."

"Ah. Damn. Sure, whatever." You smile and wave as Aether grumpily walks out of Kamore Teahouse to go meet Yoimiya. You face Ayaka, trying not to laugh at her poorly hidden confusion. "Do you mind if I use Kamore Teahouse for a mediation session? The atmosphere is just so nice."

"Oh! No, of course not! You'll always be welcome to use Kamore Teahouse as repayment for your help." Ayaka claps her hands together, looking very much like a lady in charge. "Feel free to use any of the open rooms down that hallway, those are all for personal use, and Thoma will help you with anything you need."

"Thank you, Ayaka." Your gratitude is genuine. Even though Ayaka has been rubbing you the wrong way with how she's been getting Aether to help her with the problems in Inazuma, you know that she's genuinely a nice person that just wants to do what's right for the people of her country. "I appreciate it."

The two of you exchange short farewells and Ayaka leaves the Teahouse for other business while you walk down the hallway Ayaka directed to you moments ago. You pick a random room and step inside.

The room itself is not too big, the size of a small bedroom. It's fairly empty, no furniture lining any walls, the only pizazz being the art scrolls hanging, depicting beautiful watercolor paintings of cranes, lakes, and mountains. But it has the warm feel that permeates through the rest of the Teahouse and nice floors.

Ariel steps in beside you, also checking out the room and taking the opportunity to spread out his wings. "It isn't much."

"Well, I don't need much. Anyway, Ayaka said this was a personal room. Furniture probably moves in and out of her all the time." You shrug.

"You're right about that!" You jerk and swirl around to see Thoma leaning on the doorway, a mat in his arms. "Who were you talking to?"

"Just thinking out loud." You wave off and point to the mat. "What's that for?"

"It's for you." Thoma walks to the center of the room and spreads the mat out. It's blue and cushy. "I knew there wasn't much in any of the rooms and I thought I'd bring this in to make the process more comfortable."

"Thank you." This time, you tried to say it with a little more oomph to get the point across, as it looked like Thoma desperately needed something good to hear. His face was sallow and his eyes dull. You could've been imagining it, but his skin looked to have a tint of gray to it, as if the color was draining from his body. "Thoma, I don't mean to be insensitive, but may I ask a question?"

"About me losing my vision?" He asks with an exhausted sigh.

You wince. "Not if it's uncomfortable. I was just curious and- ya know what, I probably shouldn't have asked at all, that was rude-"