Chapter Text
>>> S: Beginnings <<<
In the student's room, he leaned back in a wooden chair and kept his balance stable with one foot. His other leg was resting over the other, seemingly comfortably. He was holding a letter that's been folded once or twice due to being in an envelope before he released it from its folding days. The envelope was resting on the desk in front of him; the right side of it was covered with books and the other side was a stack of papers. They seem to follow the same pattern as the letter in his hands.
Was this student studying with those amount of books? Was he receiving a letter from a passing score from an essay he wrote? It's hard to tell from his blank expression. Regardless, this student belonged to Vahumana Darshan and worked underneath a goddess for 11 months. Lesser Lord Kusanali and ... Hat Guy. Although nowadays, he goes by Ryokou. Only when the closest of his people calls him by that name. Otherwise, they would refer to him as either Hat Guy; most common, or Wanderer; less common.
Considering he was reading a letter from the Akademiya, Ryokou's life in Sumeru had been good. At least that's how Kusanali views it. She's seen the healing process and the troubles that lay within. Both were a struggle for the puppet in these long 11 months. Maybe it's still occurring... But enough of that.
The puppet ran an animal shelter with volunteers from the Amurta Darshan helping him when they offered. He only ran such a business due to some cats following him everywhere he went. Rather than let them remain out on the streets, he founded a home for them. Just this morning, he did his scheduled visits to the shelter, checking and supplying it whenever he could. However, he never talked to the volunteers when doing his duty, making his volunteers think he was a strange boss.
However, since he was quite the "popular" or "top" student in Akademiya, those volunteers already got his pattern down to the bone. So they only say the important bits and leave him alone for the rest.
After he was done with that task, he was called up to the Akademiya to do some mail delivery. He would grunt but do them regardless. This job was a recent one and he assumed that Kusanali wanted him to be a helpful member of the Akademiya. Frankly, he would rather lay in a tree somewhere and enjoy his silence to his mind's content. Because in reality, he had already done so much for the Akademiya. But there's always more to do in it.
But right now, he retreated to his room when he was being followed by a certain desert folk. He had seen this young person run around, doing errands for the people of Sumeru City. Seemingly, he enjoyed himself quite in those noisy tasks of his. Complete opposite of what Ryokou does with these people. He doesn't do much; give them their mail and leave as fast as possible. Cannot stay for dinner like him, nothing at all.
Back to settling in his room, Ryokou eyed the letter in his hand, reading what was told in the letter: "... And on that note, I believe I should able to finally properly visit all of Sumeru City without running and getting carried away into any of our friends. Although now that I think about it, I barely even saw you, Wanderer. You were probably resting somewhere quiet as you usually tell me in these letters. Anyway, you should see me in those upcoming weeks if you ever decide that, you would like to hang out instead of sending me letters to communicate. - Traveller."
Oh. So it's a letter from the traveller and not from the Akademiya? Then those other letters stacked are all from him.
"Does he not know the answer to that suggestion?" Ryokou grunted in a whisper. These two had been sending letters to each other a month after the Akademiya Extravaganza. The history behind them is quite interesting. Firstly, the traveller sent letters to Kusanali at first and she would read these letters out loud whenever she was in the same room as Ryokou. Secondly, she stopped doing so and read for her own curiosity. Thirdly, after noticing a few weeks, Ryokou would ask why she didn't read the letters to him.
Kusanali assumed he didn't want to join in the letter exchange they were having. Although, Ryokou could care less about it, just thinking about this makes him feel left out. So, he was convinced to send a letter to the traveller but had some trouble starting one. He had sent one before, on his birthday but sending one outside of that norm was the struggle. To this day, he's still terrible at writing letters to people. Even the traveller pointed it out in one of their letters together.
If one would have to admit such childish acts, would that make Ryokou childish? Because frankly, he quite enjoys sending the letters and reading what the traveller has sent. It's like a long-distance communication he can get behind.
However, in this specific letter, meeting once more in person is like an annoyance to his mechanical ears. Because for one, he'll have to meet Paimon again and he'd rather not deal with her today or any day of the year. For two, it'll be awkward because they would only speak through paper and not with words verbally. And knowing how chit-chat or simple talk goes for him ... if they're not discussing something that could last long in a conversation, then what's the point of speaking to him in the first place?
This would be his problem in holding onto relationships he cannot keep for so long. But if it's long distance . . . he could probably keep those.
But would he consider himself a friend to the traveller? Yes. Well, no to him. ... It doesn't feel right to call him a friend, a worthy rank to even receive. They only talked through letters, isn't it ...--- does it count as becoming friends through that exchange? To Ryokou, it doesn't at all. He would rather think he has no friends but the students at the Akademiya would argue that point.
Nevertheless, Ryokou sensed someone entering his room, placing the letter with the others and putting all fours from the chair on the floor. He stood up and eyed Kusanali walking in as she had knocked. "Does the Akademiya need me to deliver more of their mail?" He questioned, assuming the such.
Kusanali shook her head before placing her hands on her hips. "I'm just here to see what you've been up to! And I just saw you reading those letters again."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Ryokou would lie, turning his head away with his arms folded. His blank expression would remain as his eyes shut.
Kusanali dropped her smile for a second before smiling once more. Even if she tried to see him enjoying those letters without interruption, she already knew he did. She didn't need to ask more if she needed to. "Well, any other news from the Vahumana Darshan causing "trouble?" It seems you have a lot of books on your desk than last time." She observed, folding her arms.
Ryokou glanced at them and grunted, remembering those moments before. Might as well tell her, there's no harm in doing so . "Another expedition from Inazuma has been completed along with their papers. And although it wasn't about the history of Tatarasuna this time ... it was about a ritual on another island. I ... dislike the information told in their papers but, the Vahumana students would believe such details if they haven't read at the end of it. It grabbed most of their attention since it related to my work."
Ryokou shook his head and turned his head over to Kusanali. "Their information was good but with the last paragraph about trying to prove a point to my correct works. It backfired on their own work when the students around them arose over these weeks and caused them to regret everything they said. Frankly, if they hadn't written it, their work would've been fine and none of this would happen." He finished, folding his arms.
"The students afterward... continued to believe my works and less of others whenever they do Inazuma-related topics." He added on.
Kusanali nodded before tilting her head as she grew curious about what had been happening in the Vahumana Darshan. "How about your other works on Sumeru-related topics?"
Ryokou grunted and turned his head away. "... My works on those topics have been finished recently but writing up pieces of advice for others has been hell. Every time I get done with one, four more show up and it's starting to grow annoyance on me. And to not lash out, I have to go somewhere to get my peace and even that isn't enough when they ask a little bee to find me." He grumbled quietly, gazing down at the books.
Kusanali let out a chuckle, receiving a glare from him. "Why are you laughing? It's not funny."
She shook her head before waving her hand. "Not only I'm here to check up on you, but I'm also here to let you know the traveller has been hanging around the Sanctuary of Surasthana. Mostly up against the railings. He and Paimon."
"I'd rather not. I'm good without meeting them." Ryokou responded, grabbing some books to put them back on his bookshelf. However, deep inside, he did want to greet them at least but, he would never allow that lingering feeling to become a reality.
"But it's been 6-7 months since you've last seen them, Ryokou. I think it'll be nice to catch up with them. It's better than communicating through the letters you've been sending." Kusanali commented.
So she has noticed I've been sending them. Well, what did I expect? She controls the entire Akademiya, of course, I can't hide anything from her. And why does everyone keep saying that? Ugh. Ryokou thought with a grunt and placed the last book back in its spot.
"Oh!" Kusanali snapped her fingers. "What about taking a break from answering the vahumana students' requests?" She offered.
"I could take a break by spending time alone. I don't think that's a valid offer, Kusanali." Ryokou commented, turning to his desk and picking up the stacked letters.
Kusanali dropped her smile and folded her arms. "How many requested papers do you need to work on?"
Ryokou squinted his eyes at her, immediately knowing what she was trying to do. He sighed and rolled his eyes. "Fine. If it makes you happy ... I'll meet them outside the sanctuary." And perhaps ... fill out his request on "hanging out."
Kusanali smiled and nodded. "I know you've been keeping to yourself recently but that's not a good sign and you know it. I understand what happened several weeks ago but it's not great to keep it bottled. It's like when a bird flies into thick, stormy clouds, never planning to fly out, and always travels wherever it goes. It's quite sad to see you repeat this pattern again."
Ryokou kept quiet about that explanation and gazed down at the stacked letters. Repeating it, huh? I don't think I've ever been doing that . He opened a drawer and placed the letters inside neatly. Making sure they don't get ruined when he closes it. He turned to his wide hat that was leaning against the desk. He grabbed it and placed it on. "Is that anything else you want to say to me before I head off?"
Kusanali rubbed her chin before snapping her fingers once more. She seems to have an idea and based on that smile, it's something he's going to dislike. "I've heard from the Rtawahist Darshan that bright stars will be sparkling in the night sky tonight. Perhaps you guys can go up high and view them together." She had her hands on her hips as if she was ground by the suggestion.
"... You mean by me lifting ..."
"No, no!" She shook her head and waved her hands. "I meant on a hill."
"Oh. ... I suppose. But that's ... another bother." Ryokou muttered to himself.
"And that's why I'm going with you." Kusanali chuckled before turning and walking out of the room.
Ryokou blinked. "... wh--- wait why?" He walked after her, confused by her intentions. He would halt and realize what her true actions were. Is she going to distract the little bug away from us? Oh. Well, that would make things more awkward than they already were. But at least, I don't have to deal with her for today. He continued walking after Kusanali, catching up with her.
.
Outside the Sanctuary of Surasthana, the sun was past the high point in the sky, being late in the afternoons. The two walked underneath the tree leaves' shade. There was something the little goddess was going to do and it may surprise Ryokou. Because he assumed they were all going to see the stars tonight. Just past the guards, to the railings, the familiar traveller and his floating companion were there, looking over the fencing.
What would happen if they fell over? Well, there were countless times when the traveller glided down with his glider while Paimon followed behind. But those ounces of intrusive thoughts would linger in his head about it.
"Traveller! Paimon! It's great to see you again." Kusanali greets the two with her smile. Paimon was the first to turn around and gasped at her appearance.
"Nahida! How've you been?" Paimon asked as the traveller turned to Kusanali before his gaze bounced over to Ryokou's appearance. Paimon spotted him a second later after him, making all of her smiles and brightness disappear. "... And ... Wanderer."
Ryokou wasn't facing them, just pretending he was there and trailing alongside Kusanali. Although hearing "Wanderer" instead of "Hat Guy" out loud was a surprise. It was a moment where he was reminded that he also goes by that name, alongside "Hat Guy." Although the people of Sumeru, most of them call him "Hat Guy," which is probably the reason "Wanderer" is less common now.
When will they realize "Hat Guy" is a ridiculous name?
The traveller did not give him the name "Ryokou." Kusanali gifted him the name instead. It's a name originated from Inazuma and its meaning is "journey." Perhaps she named him this due to the journey he's walking on. Those ups and downs on his personal journey would count. Either way, all three of these names were his and he isn't bothered by whoever calls him the such. But why is it different with these two? Or just ... the traveller? Maybe it's the deal he made with them a year ago.
Regardless, the mystery of these emotions is always an unknown mist to him.
"I've been doing great! I've heard your deeds in the desert with Cyno." Kusanali waved her hand while her other was on her hip. "The Temple of Silence and the Akademiya have never been better without your help."
"That's right! Although that happened two weeks ago, right?" Paimon questioned, turning to the traveller who blinked and nodded.
"Yeah. Although it feels like it happened just yesterday." Traveller said, giving a small smile. Five months ago in one of the letters, he mentions he was beginning to talk more on his own without Paimon talking for him. So ... seeing how he never backed down on this decision was impressive for the puppet.
"Mhm! Oh! We've seen Sethos in the city recently and greeted him on the way here. He's been making a few trips here, hasn't he?" Paimon questioned. ... Does that mean there's a chance to see him when we walk down the streets and ... out of the city? Ugh. Ryokou thought, keeping his arms folded and his eyes closed.
"Well, as he is the leader of the Temple of Silence, stabilizing a good connection with the Akademiya should be his priority. But he's free to explore the city to his heart's content." Kusanal answered as the traveller nodded.
"Oh right. Paimon forgot Sethos was the leader there. You know, seeing him run around as an errands boy ... you'd never know he's a leader of a faction unless you ask him." Paimon commented, rubbing her chin.
Kusanali gave a chuckle and placed her hands on her hips. "Besides that, how were your guys' adventures? We've recently received one of your jointed letters about Fontaine. And honestly, it sparks interest in me to know all about its ecosystem! Especially the ones deep underwater. Oh, and you told us you could swim with the fish! How was that like?"
Ryokou would gaze at the little goddess who allowed her childish behavior to run wild. He would never protest against her happiness as it didn't bother him. He can wait for as long as they want to about this topic.
"Hmmmm..." Paimon rubbed her chin once more before turning to the traveller. "It was fun."
"Fooooor the most part," Traveller stated, tensing a bit. "I bet if we were to take you there, Nahida. The aquabus would amaze you. It's this bus that rides on a route that travels from Romaritime Harbor to the Court of Fontaine. This route would be called ... the Navia Line?" He turned to Paimon with an unsure expression.
"No. That goes to Opera Epiclese." Paimon shook her head. "The line you are talking about, Traveller is Clementine Line. Here, let me explain this for you Nahida." She turned to the little goddess. "There are two lines in the Court of Fontaine. Clementine Line and Navia Line: The Clementine Line goes from Romaritime Harbor to the Court of Fontaine. The Navia Line goes from the Court of Fontaine to Opera Epiclese. There used to be a third line called the Callas Line that travelled from the Court of Fontaine to the Fontaine Research Institute. However ... since the institute had been destroyed, the line itself was also destroyed. Now all that's left is the ruins." Paimon explained.
She sighed. "Paimon could go on and on about this but we weren't here for that!" She shook her head.
"I don't mind, Paimon. Hearing your guys' stories is the most exciting listen I could ever hear!" Kusanali smiled warmly.
"Well, before Paimon continues, how long will he be standing there," Paimon asked, pointing at Ryokou who rolled his eyes, gazing away.
"Oh." Kusanali blinked at him. "I almost forgot." She turned back to the two. "I have a favor to ask the both of you. And with what we talked about, I think I can make this an arrangement. Can you tell me more, Paimon? And Traveller, can you show Ryokou the stars tonight?"
"What?" The two said in unison. "Why him? Why would he want to go see the stars?" Paimon questioned, looking confused as the traveller rubbed the back of his head.
" ... I mean ... I don't mind the favor," Traveller responded quietly. Paimon turned to him and folded her arms, huffing. "Well, if the traveller says so then ... Paimon can tell Nahida stories of our time in Fontaine. ... What time ... will you be back?" She asked him.
"If we're seeing the stars ... we should be back before midnight," Traveller responded.
"Alrighty then. Then it's a promise! Do not keep Paimon waiting! Don't want another ... incident happening as last time." Paimon told him as he nodded. "Let's go, Nahida." She turned to Kusanali who nodded and walked alongside her, back to the entrance.
Ryokou watched them go before gazing over at the traveller who looked nervous and awkward. The traveller let out a sigh and speak up first. "So, the stars huh? I thought you said they were fake."
"... Kusanali suggested I go see them with you tonight so I'm taking this as a "change of pace" than I normally do," Ryokou grunted and gazed away.
"Oh. Yeah. This was very much out of character for you." Traveller gave a quiet chuckle. Ryokou grumbled before gazing back at the traveller. "Shall we get going then?" The traveller asked. Ryokou nodded quietly and the traveller would lead first down the slope with the puppet behind him.
When they passed a giant blue flower, the traveller attempted to start a conversation in the awkward silence between them. "So. Other than the rants you sent in our letters ... how have you been doing?"
"Wow. You care enough to ask me that? I'm surprised, Traveller." Ryokou raised his brows in astonishment, but his tone was full of sarcasm.
"I'm just trying---"
"Oh, I know you're trying to start a conversation. But it just doesn't work with me and I'm sure you know that already." Ryokou cut him off.
The traveller sighed. "You're still so hard to talk with and yet when we write on papers, you go on, and on and on."
"Probably because it's the only exchange I can get behind," Ryokou stated, folding his arms with his blank expression.
"... You know. Sometimes, I need to remind you that talking through letters is not an exchange in what you think it is. With the many letters you send me ... I think I got the hint that you enjoy doing it." The traveller commented. They walked past some students who turned their eyes towards them. They were quite surprised to see the puppet talking to someone.
Ryokou remained quiet upon that comment as he tried his best to ignore it. The traveller grew a grin when he didn't hear a remark. "Am I right?"
"Just because I remain quiet, doesn't mean you're correct." Ryokou shot a glare at the traveller.
"But you're glaring at me. That means I'm right in some way." The traveller continued his cheeky grin.
"Ugh," Ryokou grumbled, glaring away from him. Who the fuck is tolerable? The little bee or the sunshine himself?
The traveller gave a snort before looking away. "Alright, alright. I'll stop for now. So, do we know where we'll see the stars tonight? Or better yet ... do you want to change plans?"
"I do not mind whatever place you choose and we don't need to," Ryokou responded.
The traveller grunted and gave him a dull look. "You're terrible at picking places."
Ryokou rolled his eyes. "All I want is to get out of here and not meet the other annoyance here."
"Other annoyance?"
"... That temple leader," Ryokou grunted.
"Oooooh ... waaaait, you know him?" The traveller turned to him with a surprised look. "Someone like you? How did you..."
Ryokou grumbled as he didn't want to explain this. The two walked through a door that led into the Akademiya after walking on the tree path. Oh, how should I even explain this? "I don't know him in the way you think. He's just been trying to follow me around to get a chance to take a closer look at my hat."
"... Why don't you?"
"What do you mean, "Why don't I?" You know what would happen if I allowed such an interaction? He's going keep following me around and I don't want that." Ryokou glared the traveller down.
"Why ... don't you tell him not to?" The traveller suggested, shrugging. "I don't quite understand why you cannot tell him not to follow you. I understand he's very curious about everyone around here but ... you know, you can set boundaries if it makes you uncomfortable."
"It doesn't make me uncomfortable, where did you even get that from?" Ryokou questioned with confusion. It's more so he's trying to avoid interacting with people so he doesn't form a bond with them.
The traveller sighed. "You sound annoyed at Sethos following you around. Why don't you just ... start showing him what he's curious about? Maybe ... he'll stop."
Ryokou grunted as they walked out of the Akademiya doors and over to the large platform below. "... I'd rather not. I just want to avoid them all."
"... Well. If we come across Sethos, it will not be my fault when he talks to you." The traveller said.
"That won't even happen because I'm letting you do the talking. That's not my type of thing." Ryokou shook his head. The traveller let out an annoyed sigh and rubbed his forehead. Such an introvert. The two kept silence for the rest of the walk, listening to the chatty late afternoon streets. It managed to last long enough, up until the traveller halted at the sound of a voice speaking. Ryokou noticed but what he froze up to is Sethos greeting the two. Perhaps, he will have to put up with this one interaction this time.
After the interaction was settled with Ryokou showing his hat to Sethos by being convinced by the traveller, the two were finally released. They left the city and crossed the bridge. The traveller turned towards the puppet who still had an annoyed expression on. "See? How bad was that?"
"Shut up."
"Alriiiiighty then ..." The traveller turned away and held a snort from escaping. "Hmmm ... we could go to the hill by Vanarana ... or climb up the mountain near Pardis Dhyai." He would think out loud with a hand on his chin. "I feel like we'll see more stars if we go to the one near Pardis Dhyai. Sounds good?" He turned back to Ryokou who didn't say anything or move. The traveller sighed and decided to take that as a yes.
The two continued on foot to the mountain. Along the way, Ryokou's annoyance would die down but he also noticed the traveller collecting flowers. He assumed he would be gifting them to someone else so he stopped to wait on him. ... Maybe they were friends but only the traveller saw their relationship as such. Ryokou did not. Maybe ... the traveller can change that about him.
They arrived upon the mountain, walking to a spot with the sun setting. It displayed such a beautiful bend between orange and purple in the skies, making the experience awestruck to the traveller. However, when he turned over to Ryokou who was gazing at the sunset, this experience grew even more amazingly than ever. The traveller would grumble to himself, shaking himself out of the state. He knew the puppet was naturally beautiful, but not this much. Infact, the last time they met, he wasn't this attractive to him. ... What gives?
The traveller would blame the sunset that activated this bug within him. But deep down, the traveller knows he's been feeling like this since they began exchanging letters. He cannot lie to himself this time. But to receive such feelings from the opposite person, especially the puppet, will be a long process.
He held the bundle of flowers in his hands and gazed down at them, feeling nervousness rise within him. He gulped it down and looked determined. No matter what, he will try.
So, with this first interaction to begin their journey with one another, the traveller grabbed the yellow flower from the bundle. He swirled it in his hand before gazing over at Ryokou who watched the sun disappear behind the horizon with the darkness rising up with the night sky. Ryokou took one look at the stars before gazing back at the traveller. He raised a brow at the flower, "... How long are you going to keep them?"
The traveller put the single flower with the bundle. "How long? I'm not sure." He gazed away before looking back to him and walked over. "However ... they aren't for me."
Ryokou quite knew that from the start, picking random flowers for himself? Don't think that happened unless they were for ascending a character. "They're for you." The traveller stated, handing the bundle of flowers out to him. Ryokou was frozen with a blank expression until his expression caught up with him. It shifted to a surprised one. "... What?"
"Didn't I mention giving you flowers in one of our letters?" The traveller questioned. "I kept my promise so I'm giving them to you."
Ryokou did infact remember that one letter when the traveller ranted on about flowers. He thought he wasn't going to and took it as a joke or something. The traveller usually does that in his letters. But this ... this confused the puppet to no end. "... Why?"
The traveller looked nervous before dropping it with a sigh. "... If I reference that letter, it will not answer your confusion so ... I guess ... I think a person like you deserved them."
"... I deserve flowers? That's ..." Ryokou trailed off, still confused to no end. Maybe it's because he was never gifted presents? But ... he had before in the past, by his peers. But he would bush those off and didn't take them as seriously as he did. However, with the traveller gifting him a present all of a sudden? Now, that's the real question here. Did it have a meaning behind his actions? The more he stood there pondering, he would notice the traveller getting nervous and more nervous. Ryokou sighed and grabbed the bundle of flowers, stopping the traveller from getting into a flustered state.
"... You did just pick them off the path on the way here," Ryokou commented.
"Do ... you want something ... more than that?" The traveller questioned, rubbing the back of his head nervously.
Ryokou stared at the flowers in confusion before looking up at him. "... I don't know. I'm just confused why would you, of all people give me flowers."
The traveller sighed, "Are you still thinking of us as enemies? Or ... frenemies?"
"... No." Ryokou shook his head. "I just don't think there's more to us than just acquaintances." The traveller raised his brows and tilted his head in curiosity. "And receiving a gift from you is ... are you trying to gain my approval?"
"No...? I didn't think that when giving it to you." The traveller shook his head, looking confused. "All I thought is thaaaat ... uh--- ... that uhm--- that you just deserved them, alright? Can we drop it now?"
Ryokou eyed the traveller looking away while rubbing the back of his head. His cheeks were faintly red as this confused him. Perhaps being embarrassed and questioned like this, did a factor on him . Fine. I'll accept them . He thought. They'll be with my other letters from you .
...
"He gave you flowers?" Kusanali asked, watching the puppet walk in with the bundle of flowers in his hands.
"Yes. He did." Ryokou set them on his wooden table, next to the silver lamp.
"And I still don't know why he gave me them."
End of Chapter 1 <