Author's notes here.
So uh hey. It's been a while since I last seriously worked on a write-up and now it happened to be a one-shot story. Loosely takes place some time after Ei's second story quest for 2.5, so beware of spoilers if you haven't done it yet.
"Hey, Shogun!" Paimon squeaked, making Aether's and her own presence known in the halls of Tenshukaku. "We're here for another visit!"
Goodness Paimon, I know we helped them reconcile their differences since they clashed in that realm, but at the very least have some decorum, will you, Aether thought.
The Raiden Shogun, who had herself put on standby since she was expecting them, looked up towards their direction and gave her reply.
"Aether and... Paimon. Greetings, I have been expecting you."
Rising from where she was, she made her way across the hall towards the two guests.
"A very Shogun-like way of walking, even after all that. Ei's probably not going to change that stern-looking part of the Shogun, eh," Paimon whispered to Aether.
"You know she can hear you, right?" Aether snarked.
"By the way, we brought some sweets!" said Paimon.
All of a sudden, the Shogun froze in her tracks. "Sweets?" She murmured. Then her body began to shake strangely.
Taking notice of this, Paimon flew close to her and asked, "Shogun, what's wrong?"
"Th-the one within-, no, s-sweets are-don't-"
Seeing the Shogun frozen in place, trembling strangely, and stuttering her words sent Aether and Paimon a cause for concern.
The Shogun suddenly became limp. As Paimon tried to have a closer look on her condition, however-
The Shogun sprung back to life with a seemingly childlike vigor.
"SWEEEEETTTTTSS!?"
Following this sudden outburst, Paimon got thrown backwards.
Cue Paimon with a confused screaming. "What the-! Ei!? Is that you!?"
Aether could only watch as the scene unfolds, as he folds his own arms and let out a sigh of relief. And a raised eyebrow.
"Looks like someone hasn't had their sugary fix for quite sometime," he said.
As Ei tried moving towards Aether, however, she suddenly finds her body rather unwilling to move, in a way reminiscent of her state before her seemingly eternal showdown with the Shogun's will.
"Shogun... p-please, let me..."
Recovering from her stumble, Paimon floated back towards Ei and Aether. "What's gotten between Shogun and you this time, Ei? I thought you guys made peace with each other so there'd be nothing like this anymore, right?"
"We did. It's just that-"
Aether, being an impeccable being of intuitiveness never seen before in all of Teyvat, made his own judgment on Ei's condition.
"Sounds like for whatever reason, you haven't been able to get your hands on some sweets lately because the Shogun isn't letting you."
Upon hearing Aether's remarks, a flush of red appeared on Ei's cheeks. Trying to hide it, she turned her face away from him.
"T-that isn't the case. You're mistaken."
"Your response makes me think I'm right on the money, though," Aether replied, his eyes showing his suspicions.
Begrudgingly accepting Aether's astute judgment on her current predicament, Ei finally relents; having recovered from the current stiffness that befell the body she inhibits.
"Sigh," she began, "please follow me into the Plane of Euthymia. While it pains me to admit this, it seems we are in need of your aid to settle our current predicament."
A look of exasperation colors Aether's and Paimon's faces.
"Oh dear," Paimon sighed, "Here we go agai-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-"
And thus their ears rang with the one sound they loathe having to get used to, for it fills their heads with much dizziness - entering the Plane of Euthymia.
And thus, here they are, in the realm of stillness and stasis, Ei's realm - the Plane of Euthymia.
Or used to be a realm of stillness and stasis, that is.
What fills Aether's and Paimon's vision this time looks like a huge room unfitting of their views on Ei. Or the Shogun. Or whoever it is they're talking to. Probably both.
"The hell is this place now!?" said Paimon, taken aback at what the Plane of Euthymia had become since their last visit there. "Why does it look like one of those shut-in characters' rooms in light novels!?"
Ei could only fidget while sporting a red flush on her cheeks out of embarrassment.
One glance at his current surroundings and Aether's face rapidly turns into a look of suspicion. His view is filled with light novels, used dango sticks, empty Dango Milk bottles, some other traces of sweets, and he swore at the corner of his sights he saw a space strangely scattered with what he perceived as photos of... himself. Upon noticing this, his attention immediately turned there.
When the hell were these taken!? Aether thought, sweatdrops rapidly trickling down his temple. Sure, he did introduce the Kamera to her, but to see it being used for a mysterious purpose on Ei's end was something he did not expect to happen.
Noticing where Aether's gaze is, Ei immediately rushes to said corner to cover it.
"T-this... is not whatever you may think. I am currently trying to progress on working for Inazuma's future since the duel of the fates I had with the Shogun. You're essential for it, so I have been studying-"
Aether gets increasingly perplexed at the current situation. Squinting his eyes as a sign of even more suspicion brooding from him, he slowly mutters under his breath, made audible to Ei, "Go on..."
Clashing with his inquisitive pressure, Ei slowly finds herself at a loss for words to hide whatever she has behind her.
It is at this point in time where Paimon approached the two currently at a deadlock for some reason. "What's wrong, you tw-WAH!?"
But her advance was interrupted by a strange appearance.
"So the two are here now."
Quickly turning to face the source of the voice, Paimon now finds herself with yet another unusual sight in the Plane of Euthymia.
"Another E- wait, Shogun!?" she shrieked. "AND IN A MAID OUTFIT!?"
The other two in this space turned towards Paimon's direction.
The Raiden Shogun. Dressed in a maid outfit.
A very bizarre sight for Aether indeed.
"You seem to be rather surprised at my current appearance," said the Shogun. "But know that in no way would I be predisposed to wearing such clothing. However, while Ei was adjusting the rules I operate by, it seems she has inadvertently mixed in a compulsion for me to bear such an appearance while in her presence in this realm."
Something clicked in Aether. Some strange memories are rushing back in.
"Good grief, Ei..." he started, "... last time she almost had her way with me due to your fiddling, what are you making her do now?"
Acknowledging Aether's presence, the Shogun moved towards him. And then...
"Welcome home, Master(heart). Will you be having dinner? Or perhaps a bath? Or perhaps me?(heart)"
Hearing all that said by the Shogun, totally deadpan, made for a very jarring atmosphere right now.
At this point both Ei and Paimon are starting to squint their eyes looking at Ei, their minds full of questions. Mainly what has Ei been up to between the time they last waved their goodbyes and now.
"You know what," said Aether, "I think I'll just be out with whatever I had in mind up till now: Ei, Shogun... how did things turn out like this? First was Ei somehow missing her sweets like an addict facing withdrawal symptoms and I never thought she'd be capable of such a thing. Then the next thing I see is this Plane of Euthymia... or probably it is... not looking like it used to be. Then I saw whatever it is you seem to be trying to hide from me. Then, bam, Maid-en Shogun! Don't tell me the light novels affected you so much?"
Ei turned her face away from Aether. "That isn-"
But the Maiden Shogun interrupted. "That is certainly the case, Master(heart). Everything, from me dressing in such clothing, to calling you Master(heart), to how the Plane of Euthymia looks like right now, and its current state... and, your photos - is the result of our current contemplation towards building Inazuma's future from that point onwards."
Paimon and Aether were taken aback. "Our...?"
Finally having the last shard of her dignity shaved away due to the current turn of events, Ei let out a sigh. "Yes, indeed, it is the results of our trial and error in remaking the rule set for the Shogun's operation in the administration of Inazuma."
She then turned her sights to the scattered light novels within the Plane of Euthymia. "By studying the light novels, while some events described in the novels can be rather frivolous or outright outlandish at times, I began to understand that authors' imaginations are also a result of wishes and dreams. As the bearer of the Inazuman people's wishes and dreams, I cannot simply ignore this, therefore... I began experimenting to make these dreams a reality for Inazuma," she continued.
Aether was rubbing his forehead furiously. But he had one more question.
"So, to begin dissecting my curiosities for what we've been through today..." he started. "What led to you stopping Ei from having sweets, Shogun?"
The Shogun held her head up and closed her eyes, organizing her thoughts for her reply to Aether's question. "While we were making progress, I have successfully followed my orders to the letter in keeping Inazuma safe, and I also have had my hand in helping Ei decide matters in Inazuma's administration along with the Tri-commission representatives."
The Shogun continued. "As I proved myself in Inazuma's administration, however, the one within - Ei - has been finding herself quite free in the Plane of Euthymia, and thus have embarked on our current quests in fulfilling the Inazuman dreams. While our efforts have been received by the citizens of Inazuma with resounding support, over time... Ei has been doing nothing but indulge herself with sweets almost every day. I perceive this as a threat of erosion on her, therefore I have moved to prevent this erosion from taking effect - by preventing Ei from eating sweets."
Paimon was looking over at Ei who's crouching next to Aether and covering her face in shame.
"That's... the most... unusual example of 'erosion' I have ever heard..." she squeaked, "... and on an Archon at that..."
"Stop, Paimon, I'm seeing some unusual damage numbers on Ei's person and she looks like she would croak anytime now," Aether remarked.
Ei immediately interjected. "I am not a frog therefore I don't croak," she said, hands still cupping her face.
"Figure of speech," Aether countered.
"It was all... for the sake of research. For the sake of Inazuma. For the sake of the new meaning of Eternity I seek..." Ei murmured.
Aether can only let out a sigh. "Right. So while everything I've heard up to now sounds so... uh, extreme, but the Ei I know is a serious person, so I am strangely finding this turn of events not so surprising anymore. Though this does feel like a new side of Ei I never saw before."
Having an enlightened look on his face, the atmosphere in the Plane of Euthymia began to lift up into a lighter mood. However...
"So, with me now understanding what led to Ei and the Shogun's current situation, I'll help you both..." Aether spoke again, "but before that, Ei, perhaps if you could answer me one thing... what's the deal with my pictures over there?"
Paimon's line of sight now following the direction of Aether's pointing finger, it didn't take a while for her eyes to bulge in shock.
"WHAT ARE THOSE PHOTOS!? EI!?"
The hue on Ei's face turned into beet red, while the Shogun just threw her glances aside. However, Shogun's response did not go unnoticed.
"Huh," said Aether, "Shogun, don't tell me you also had a hand-"
"D-did not. Do not be mistaken."
"Shogun... Ei did not teach you to lie, did she?"
And thus, the two identities inside the Plane of Euthymia have a lot to answer to their esteemed guests. But that is a story for another day.
- END. -
Extra
"Ahahahahahahahaha!"
A very loud laughter echoed across the Grand Narukami Shrine's area.
"Oh, the hilarity! Who'd have thought the Electro Archon I serve would devolve into such a state due to being exposed to the pleasantries of present-day Inazuma!"
She was barely holding on to a pillar, about to fall on the floor from excessive laughter.
"Also, with the matter regarding your pictures… goodness me, I've always thought you've proved to be a good influence to her, but to see she treasures you by that much! Ooohh this is sooo rare, the image of a lovestruck Ei… I wish I was there to witness it all!"
The Head Priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine, Yae Miko. Currently enjoying the brand new amusement being brought to her ears.
While her fits of laughter could be heard throughout the entire shrine, everyone else within earshot just simply passed it off as the Guuji being told a very interesting story. Of course, those about the shrine were very aware of her second occupation - chief editor and founder of the Yae Publishing House, so certainly her reactions might be caused by a particularly interesting manuscript she was reviewing.
Nevertheless, Aether and Paimon's facial expressions were very tense. It felt like they told her a story they probably shouldn't have.
While Ei and the Shogun did not ask for them to let it be an event that stays inside the Plane of Euthymia, unfortunately neither did Aether and Paimon promise to not tell Yae of it - since Yae had so specifically asked for them to tell what happened on their visit today.
Of course, in no time at all after Yae had heard it all - the sky above the Sacred Sakura tore up, and everyone present there were immediately aware on what caused it…
"I-it's the Raiden Shogun!"
"Her Excellency!?"
"What happened!? To appear here in such a way, looking very troubled… did something befall Inazuma!?"
"Oh, Your Excellency… pardon us for being rude, but that was a very sudden appearance…"
"AETHER! PAIMON! YOU DIDN'T TELL MIKO WHAT HAPPENED BACK THEN, DID YOU!?"
"Wah!? Ei!?"
"Calm down! You're exposing yourself to everyone here!"
And with feelings of guilt from doing exactly what Ei had hoped they didn't, the two immediately moved to preserve the dignity of the currently bewildered Electro Archon of Inazuma.
As Yae watched all the hulabaloo currently unfolding within the shrine, a very mischievous smirk flashed upon her face, giggling to herself.
"Just as planned," she murmured under her breath. "Now, let's go and calm the situation a bit. Wouldn't be nice for Ei to be losing all her dignity as the Narukami Ogosho here of all places, heh heh."
And so she made her move towards the center of the commotion.
Thank you, Aether, she thought. Trusting you with Ei was the right call after all. Inazuma really became an interesting country after you came.
FIN
Notes:
1. Regarding Aether's remark "almost had her way with me", it was actually a reference to a fancomic lying somewhere on the Nets. Not going to tell you where to find it though, but make of it what you will.
2. FF's formatting doesn't seem to accept typed-in symbols, so Rai- I mean, MAIDen Shogun calling Aether "Master" was supposed to have hearts at the end, but it didn't show up so I'm changing it to "Master(heart)".