Chapter Text
>>> S: A Safe Adventure Now <<<
Night time arrived in Poisson with the puppet out limping through its quiet wakes. He slowly crossed the second bridge, glancing down to the river below him. He left without anyone noticing him again, though he doubts he left completely unnoticed. He assumes Navia may come to find him again. He sighed and halted in the middle of the bridge, gazing at the rusty ship. He slowly closed his eyes and focused on his mind. He hesitated on his thoughts, seeing him generate tons of possibilities.
They soon question him, wondering if Kusanali would get mad. Or even scold him...
He shook his head slightly and calmed himself down. Of course, I would be. I made a mistake back in Aaru Village. I wouldn't blame her if she was mad even. The voices soon quieted down and he slowly nodded to himself. He returned to focusing, reaching out and grabbing onto the communication thread. And once he did, he spoke through it.
[[ ... Lesser Lord Kusanali? ]] Ryokou called out, opening his eyes and looking forward to the other side of the bridge. The hesitation was returning and he despised that. But there was also guilt lingering inside of him. He sighed and waited for her response.
There was silence for a long time and he had thought his message didn't get through. Until he sensed a familiar presence entering his mind. He sighed in relief and glanced back to the rusty ship, spotting someone walking down the metal slope. [[ ... Ryokou? I'm surprised you reached out to me. I assume you turned your ability back on. That's good. However ... you turned it on a month later. I suppose the worst has happened with your mental health, hasn't it? ]] Kusanali spoke back.
Ryokou grunted as he continued to watch the person from afar. [[ ... Yes. And it's all because of a fight I got in. ]]
[[ A fight?! ]] He could hear her worried tone clearly from the other side.
[[ It's not your fault that you predicted it. But yes, a fight. I got out--- ... how should I put this...--- Outside of my body is undamaged but on the inside ... I walk with a limp now. ]] Ryokou explained.
Silence is all he heard from the other side. He sighed quietly and looked down at the bridge. [[ ... Can I form my hologram? I want to see how bad your limp is. ]]
[[ Sure. ]] Ryokou shut his eyes and focused on strengthening their connection. Once it was established, he opened his eyes and glanced down at the light-green hologram of the little goddess. She blinked and stared at him. [[ Where's your hat? ]]
Ryokou grunted and shook his head, folding his arms. [[ Now that I think about it ... I'm not quite sure. Probably with my other clothes ... ]]
Kusanali softened her look before taking a look around her. [[ Is this Fontaine? ]]
Ryokou nodded, going forward to limp right past her. [[ Yes. It is. Poisson to be specific. ]]
She nodded before turning back to the puppet and followed after him. She eyed his legs and folded her arms, rubbing her chin. She tilted her head and squinted her eyes. [[ Perhaps from a Kshahrewar's mindset ... they could see what's wrong. However, like an animal's leg, a limp could be a sign of a broken leg. In your case, it could be a sign of a broken mechanical piece. What happened to you in the desert? ]]
Ryokou halted on the platform and turned to her. [[ I did limp at first but it went away when I got used to walking on my feet. Not sure if ...--- Oh. Something slipped out of place and I put it back in. Afterwards, the limp disappeared. ]] He explained, placing his hand on his hip. [[ Although ... from the doctors that treated me ... they said they put it back in but ... I don't know if they actually put it back in. I'm not so sure how they even treated me. ]] He shook his head slightly.
[[ You need to ask. Depending on your injury, I may need to ask you to come back sooner than later. ]] Kusanali said, placing her hands on her hips with a stern expression.
Ryokou stared at her and grunted, looking away. [[ Ugh. I was afraid of that answer. ]]
[[ So far it looks fine but ... I'm afraid it may grow worse. I wished that you would've accepted Sethos' offer to come back to Sumeru City but ... it was your choice to continue to Fontaine or not. ]] Kusanali said.
[[ ... Would you like to come along then? I think I have enough mental energy to keep your hologram up. ]] Ryokou asked, tilting his head slightly.
[[ Well. ]] Kusanali chuckled. [[ I'm sure the doctors are all asleep by now, Ryokou. I can come back in the morning. ]]
[[ Oh ... Right. ]] Ryokou grumbled and looked embarrassed. [[ ... I could do it myself ... ]]
[[ No, Ryokou. ]] Kusanali shook her head. [[ Although you had tried it and it worked for the first time, I'd rather not have you hurt yourself anymore. You can't take risks like that anymore. ]]
Ryokou pouted before dropping it and nodding. [[ Right. ]]
Kusanali turned around her surroundings and folded her arms, smiling. [[ So you mentioned this was Poisson, correct? ]]
He nodded quietly, beginning to limp back to the rusty ship. [[ It is one of the towns in Fontaine. The Court of Fontaine is right outside. ]]
She followed after and walked beside him, nodding. [[ I bet it's huge, bigger than Sumeru City? ]]
Ryokou rubbed his chin as he crossed the 3rd bridge into Poisson. [[ It is a huge city but I think they both rival each other's sizes. Sumeru City is still a huge city just ... upwards. ]]
She nodded. [[ I can see it. So. How was your trip so far in Fontaine? ]]
Ryokou turned to her and halted on the other side. He told her about their adventures: Exploring ruins, meeting new faces, and so much more. There's still much more he wants to see of this nation before he leaves though. Kusanali smiled. [[ You are enjoying yourself here, aren't you? ]]
Ryokou grunted and looked away. [[ So what if I am? ]]
[[ It's fine to enjoy yourselves, Ryokou. I'm happy that you are. ]] She smiled. She soon put her hands on her hips. [[ What of your relationship with the traveller and Paimon? ]]
He glanced back at her and sighed. [[ To your surprise ... good. ]]
She chuckled quietly. [[ I don't think I'm surprised by that. You do get along with people ... whenever the chance surfaces. ]]
Ryokou remained quiet and looked away with a dull expression. I do not . He blinked at a familiar figure walking down the steps. ... Yep. I knew it . He turned his head away as Kusanali tilted her head. "And this time around, you did not decide to climb up somewhere to hide," Navia said, sighing afterward. "How many times are you going to do this, Ryokou?"
Ryokou slowly turned back to the blonde. "... Whenever I want."
Navia sighed and shook her head before smiling. "So. Are you just returning from your walk? Or ... practicing more with your limp? I'm sure you got it down the notch."
"Do you know how the doctors treated my limp leg?" Ryokou asked.
"Hmm... Although I wasn't watching, I comforted Paimon during that time. The doctors did mention your leg out of its joint placement; so they put it back in." Navia explained.
"By...?"
Navia blinked. "Uh. By carefully moving it back in? I'm not too sure if they had to cut through your skin to do so but they shouldn't..." She squinted her eyes with her hand underneath her chin. "You will have to ask the doctors in the morning. I'll let them know you have questions for them." She tilted her head. "Is there any reason why?"
Ryokou slowly turned back to Kusanali. "To let someone back home know when I write to them." He said. The little goddess nodded with a smile.
"Ah. Right." Navia nodded, walking forward and over to the railing. "So. Are you excited to go on your date on your birthday?"
Ryokou remained quiet on that part before slowly looking away from Kusanali's surprised face. [[ What--- ... You're going on a date? ]] Oh no . Ryokou thought as he flustered from her even knowing. Navia took it as a shy expression. She chuckled quietly. "... Sort of wish you didn't mention that." He muttered.
"But you have to be ... unless special dates like these don't interest you enough," Navia said, raising her brows.
[[ ... With the traveller... ]] Ryokou told Kusanali before turning back at Navia. "... I don't know. I did say I would try but ..." He shrugged before spotting Kusanali's wide smile in the corner of his eyes. Oh ... no.
"Right. You're still new to this. Don’t be afraid. It'll be just you two." Navia smiled softly. "Just remember to have fun and enjoy your time together."
... Easier said and done . Ryokou grumbled and looked away. [[ You fell in love with the traveller? ]] Kusanali asked.
[[ Yes. Yes. I did. Would you stop making that wide-ass smile? ]] Ryokou glared at her.
.
After Navia had unintentionally interrupted the two's conversation and left them be, they continued speaking through their minds in the medical room where the other two were asleep. Ryokou sat in his bed and turned to Kusanali sitting next to him. She clapped as he rolled his eyes. [[ Now this is a surprise. ]] She chuckled softly. [[ I thought you said you didn't believe that type of attraction? ]]
Ryokou grumbled quietly. [[ ... I didn't know it could happen to me, okay? ]]
She smiled softly. [[ Regardless, I am relieved that everything went well. As that ... person said, hopefully, you can enjoy yourself on that day. ]]
[[ And here I thought you wanted me to come back to Sumeru City once we figure out the injury in my leg. ]] Ryokou said, folding his arms.
[[ ... If we do end up finding more about it, I could ask you to come back after the date. ]] She continued her smile. Though Ryokou took it as an " innocent " smile as he squinted his eyes at her. He sighed. [[ I best leave you until the morning. Goodnight, Ryokou. ]] She spoke.
[[ ... See you then. ]] Ryokou watched her fade away as he sighed, feeling her presence leave his mind. Sometimes he wonders if they could talk a little longer. But even if that happened, it would drain more of his mental energy. After all, he was getting tired of holding that hologram up. When he is fully charged, he can ask next time.
Morning arrived the next day with the medical staff arriving to check upon Aether's arm and then over to Ryokou's request. While they were doing their part, Ryokou sensed the little goddess entering his mind once more. He sighed and shut his eyes, doing that method once more before looking over to Kusanali's hologram appearing next to him. She smiled and waved, greeting him the usual before turning over to the commotion. Ryokou glanced back at Aether looking stiff from the medical staff's touches. Paimon comforted him the best she could as Navia watched quietly, displaying concern.
The doctor squinted his eyes, confused about how in the world the traveller healed so fast. It was probably the food. Aside from that, resting was also a factor. Aether could move his arm within the arm cast as the doctor began to remove it entirely. "Woah. Don't broken arms take several weeks to heal?" Paimon questioned.
"To ... the normal person they do. But since both of you aren't normal, this result could happen." The doctor explained.
Aether smiled nervously, "I ... suppose. But it still aches..."
"Don't move it too much. Just be careful with it until the pain is gone." The doctor told him. Aether nodded. Soon the doctor turned over to Ryokou who folded his arms. "You wanted to ask a question from me?"
"Yes." Ryokou nodded. "How did you treat my leg? You never quite explained further beyond the last explanation."
Paimon grew quiet upon hearing that and looked at the two. Aether did the same as he had concern on his face. The doctor furrowed his brows before nodding. He turned to Navia who nodded and took something out of her small bag. Ryokou eyed her before glancing back at the doctor. "We had thought you also broke a bone but perhaps it was more in the case of a broken mechanical part. While it was out of its original placement, we managed to put it back in the best position it was originally in. But while doing so, the part that is broken ... detached. Boss here should have it in that bag and you can keep it for when you get repaired at your destination."
Ryokou slowly nodded and turned to Navia, walking over to him. She handed him the bag and he grabbed it, staring down at it. [[ Just an detached part? ]] Kusanali spoke to him. [[ Must be from the joint in your leg. ]]
[[ ... I thought the same. It was loose before but ... I'm assuming they placed it in the wrong way. And that's why it detached or broke from the joint. ]] Ryokou spoke back before sighing and nodding. "Thank you."
Navia nodded and walked away. "And thank you for that explanation," Ryokou told the doctor. The doctor nodded and took his leave out of the room.
"So ... What does that mean?" Paimon asked.
"Depending on how ... screw up this part is ... I may need to get a replacement," Ryokou whispered quietly. [[ And how would that work, Kusanali? ]] He glanced over to her.
Kusanali looked down and shook her head slightly. [[ ... It's a difficult process. I have to discuss this with Tighnari. ]]
[[ And does that ... gets me to be sent back? ]] Ryokou asked.
Kusanali glanced up at him with a stern expression. [[ I'll ... need to check in with him first. I know you want to stay in Fontaine and continue your adventures. I am allowing that but I do want you to let me know if it gets worse. I'm not sure how resilient your mechanical parts are. I'll let you know of the news back here another time. ]]
Ryokou nodded. [[ Alright. ]] He frowned a bit before dropping it and shaking his head. [[ See you then. ]]
Kusanali stared at him before nodding. [[ There will be plenty of times once you arrive back in Sumeru City to talk to me, Ryokou. I'll be patiently waiting. ]] She smiled. [[ For now, bye. ]] She waved before disappearing from his mind. He sighed. I know that. You didn't need to read that thought. He glanced over to three pairs of eyes glued on him. He blinked.
"... Were you talking to someone?" Aether asked first, eyeing him.
"... Yes. I was." Ryokou sighed. "Kusanali is that someone."
"Ooooh. Paimon bet she was checking up on you." Paimon smiled.
"Or that she wanted to know about his leg." Aether turned to her.
Ryokou nodded to him. "She did. That's the reason why I asked."
"Wait." Navia blinked at the puppet. "How did you do that?"
"OH. Paimon didn't even realize! How did you speak to Nahida?" Paimon widened her eyes.
"Telepathy," Ryokou said quietly, spotting Furina opening the door and poking her head in. She was looking around before freezing up at his gaze on her. What does she want?
"Oh. Wait. Since when did you have this power?" Paimon questioned. "No wait, is it similar to that time in Pardis Dhyai? When you spoke to the traveller-- ... Yeah, you know what I mean!"
Ryokou folded his arms and sighed. "I--"
"No wait!" Would you stop interrupting me? "It has to be similar to that voice we heard!" Paimon said, turning to Aether who looked confused. "You remember hearing that ... witch's voice? It has to be similar to that!"
"But she spoke in our heads twice," Aether said. "I would say it's similar to when we were watching over him in ... Irminsul."
"Huh?" Paimon tilted her head. "Since when did we go to Irminsul?"
Aether opened his mouth before shutting it and slowly turning to Ryokou. Ryokou furrowed his brows before slowly nodding. "I only can do it when I am touching someone," Ryokou explained. "That part is ... not important right now."
"But we ... how ...---" Paimon turned to Ryokou before turning to Aether in a confused state. "... Is it ..."
"It's not important, Paimon." Aether shook his head at her.
Paimon huffed. "Alright, fine. She won't ask anymore. This just raises a lot of questions as to what Paimon forgot now. She knows she remembered ... well ... you told her about a lot of the things that she forgot. But ... she doesn't have memories of it."
"Paimon!"
"AAH-- WHAT?" Paimon turned to Furina popping right beside her. "I've been calling your name for over a minute now. I need your help, come on!" Furina huffed before turning and walking back over to the door.
"Oh ... okay. Paimon will be back." Paimon told the two before turning and following after her. Navia was outside the room so she didn't hear their conversation. Rather, Furina had asked for her help on the birthday surprise. Soon it was just the puppet and the traveller.
Aether sighed in relief and turned back to Ryokou with his eyes closed. "... So it's just us two."
"She's not going to ask you?"
"Apparently not. Maybe she saw the desperation in my face and she helped pull Paimon away." Aether explained in a joking manner. He folded his arms in his lap and tilted his head. "Besides going to the blue willow tree, was there something else you wanted to do on the day?"
"Nothing comes to mind." Ryokou shook his head.
"Not even a slow dance?"
Ryokou slowly opened his eyes at him. "... If you were saving that for a surprise, then you just ruined it."
"Well ... I wasn't. I was asking you because ... I ... just thought we could do one." Aether said, looking away shyly.
Ryokou gazed away with a dull look. "... I don't mind. At least you're asking about what dance we're doing this time around."
Aether sighed. "Not gonna let that down, aren't you?"
Ryokou looked back at him. "At least ... it'll be calmer this time around." He recalled what Paimon said about the kiss. I don't know if it's considering being closer to one another but I won't know unless I wait and see how I react. And if it is ... fine then I could probably do it. Little Bug did say to do it when the time is right. Which doesn't help me at all. How will I know the time is right?!
"Mhm." Aether nodded with a smile. Ryokou shut his eyes and relaxed there momentarily in the silence. Aether blinked at him and slowly grinned. He was thinking of something suspicious but that shouldn't be a surprise at all for anyone. He dropped his grin and smiled warmly, shutting his eyes. "Do you always think what sweet flowers taste like?"
"... No?"
"Surely they taste sweet. But maybe ... plant-ish in the flavour? They should be edible since they are used in most dishes." Aether explained, looking up at the ceiling.
Ryokou gave him a "really" look. "Why do you want to know?"
"Well. Sometimes you have to be curious about things to try them, right?" Aether asked. "Plus, I am quite curious about their taste."
"... I don't know whether you're an idiot or even more stupider." Ryokou eyed him. "Go ahead, pick one from your bag and figure it out yourself."
Aether snorted and smirked which received his first glare of the day. "Am I annoying you yet...?"
.
Oh, you fucking--- Ryokou grumbled and looked away. "No. You are not." He lied, folding his arms with an irritated expression.
"But it's written on your face, Moonlight."
Ugh... Ryokou blinked and slowly turned back to him. Actually, what would he do if I said this? "You do have a nickname for me that relates to a flower right?"
"Yes." Aether nodded. "Want me to use that instead of Moonlight?"
"No, no." Ryokou shook his head. "Not the point I was making. The point I was making is that ... if you are so curious about tasting a flower that badly. Since you refer to that nickname ... what would I taste like to you?"
Aether seemed to be frozen in the moment, looking bizarre for a moment before turning red the next seconds. "U-uh. I-I ... I-I don't know..." He looked away, turning into a complete tomato. "... I ..."
Ryokou snorted and smirked, crossing his legs. "W-Why ... Why did you ask s-such a question?" Aether asked, avoiding looking at him.
"Well. You are into me so why not?" Ryokou tilted his head slightly.
Aether shook his head and rubbed his cheeks. "My ... I ... I didn't know you could ask THOSE types of questions."
"Want me to make more of them then?" Ryokou's smirk turned into a playful grin.
Aether thought he felt his insides turn at the sight of what he was seeing. His body was heating up within seconds ... maybe even milliseconds, as well as his heart racing at the imagery of the puppet flirting with him some more. Oh, he did not know he could be captivated by his words. He remained silent on that question but it was more of him being in shock still. He couldn't even look away if he wanted to.
Ryokou took notice and dropped his playful act. "Just one look at that and it turns you into a quiet potato." This will get me in trouble if he builds up a resistance against it.
"... W... W.."
Ryokou snickered and shook his head slightly. "And makes you stutter too."
Aether shook his head quickly and looked away from him. "... I ...--- That's ... that was WAY unexpected coming from you." He slowly gazed back at him. "Aren't you getting better at this? How ... do you even---"
"Why would I tell you what I think?" Ryokou asked. "I'm not giving you my tricks."
Aether huffed and folded his arms. "Fair enough. Since I don't give you mine. Makes much sense to not reveal them. But ... I ... I w-wouldn't mind ..." He looked away with a shy smile.
Ryokou squinted his eyes before closing them and sighing. I already know which direction this will go if I even continue that idea. "... We'll see how I feel. I only do what I just did to get back at you."
Aether slowly looked back at him and pouted. "... I actually thought you flirted with me there."
"Nope." Ryokou shook his head. "You'll ... have to try harder than that."
Aether dropped his pout and grinned. "Oh, I'll definitely enable that in you."
Ryokou furrowed his brows at him and scooted back onto his bed, slowly turning away from him. That felt weird and it was not the good kind. Aether took notice and frowned. "Too much?"
"Too much."
"Gotcha." Aether nodded. "I'll drop it for now." He lifted up an arm and looked down at his hand. A thought appeared in his head as it made him look up to the puppet. He had turned his body back to him now but his eyes were closed again. Aether slowly nodded and put on a smile. "What is the story about you and nilotpala lotuses?"
"... There's no story behind them. I just like them."
Aether tilted his head. "Is it because they also bloom in the moon's light?"
Ryokou sighed. "They just happen to bloom out underneath it, it's not because of how similar I am to them."
Aether smiled widely. "Frankly ... you are similar to them." Ryokou opened his eyes and eyed him. What are you going to do now? "Like last time when I took you dancing underneath the night sky. You blossomed and opened up a bit. I know you could take this as any other moment but I think those special moments--- especially when you explained your feelings for me. I think these moments are more special than any other moment you could think of."
Ryokou sighed quietly and gazed down. "Even if I think I was just doing what you asked me to do?"
"Do you still explain what's bothering you due to that promise?" Aether asked.
Ryokou shook his head slightly. "... No. I don't. It feels like ... I can tell you them sometimes and ... you don't even go along with the voices in my head." He gripped the bedsheets below him. "I don't know if that's a good thing but ... It does ... help me a lot that my mind is still trying to trick me after all this time."
"If it helps you, then it's a good thing." Aether smiled softly.
"... I ... know it is, it's hard to accept it is."
Aether nodded. "I can understand that. It can be difficult at times but holding it back doesn't work at all. In due time, I think you will come to understand that every time you do it, it'll be worth it to receive warmth from someone. Especially when I can tell you really want it, Moonflower."
Ryokou blinked at him as Aether nodded quietly. "I did read your thoughts that time and it's still in my head."
Ryokou turned red and looked away upon hearing that. "... Are you kidding me...?"
Aether snickered. "Guess you just have to get better at controlling your thoughts." He stuck his tongue out. Ryokou grumbled and gazed back at him, shaking his head slightly. Maybe in due time, I will.
...
"Oh wait." Aether blinked. "Does that mean we're allowed to head back to the Court of Fontaine?"
"Whenever you want to go." Ryokou shut his eyes.
Aether rubbed his chin and shook his head. "We'll go back tomorrow then. I'll spend the remaining day in Poisson. ... Annnnd ... maybe make a few teases here and there." He smirked.
Ugh ... Whatever.
End of Chapter 32 <