The Traveller and the Heron Chapter 3
Port of Ritou 17:52 | Aether
"So you finally made it," says the man dressed in red, "You sure kept me waiting, Captain."
"You can blame your all Almighty Shogun. The tempests around Inazuma have been growing all the more fierce lately" Captain Beidou replies, "though the fleet was more than up for the challenge, no more than a minor delay.
No kidding, that storm was unlike anything I've ever seen since I've been in this world. And if the Shogun is responsible for it? I wonder just how powerful she really is, compared to Zhongli and Venti.
The man then looked at me and Paimon.
"And it appears we have a couple of stowaways, or perhaps I should say, honoured guests." He says.
"Ah, let me introduce everyone. This is Thoma, a trade partner that I've gotten to know recently," Captain Beidou introduces.
"Heh, you don't know how long I've been waiting to see you," Thoma says.
"It's nice to meet you, Thoma." I replied, "My name is Aether."
"And Paimon's name is Paimon!"
"Thoma's resided on Ritou for quite some time now. You could say he's the Fixer around these parts." Captain Beidou goes on, "If you run into any problems here, just talk to him, but if he tries to pull any move on you, let me know and I'll deal with him personally next time I'm around."
"No need to worry about me Captain, I'll take care of them," Thoma replies.
"Good, with that settled, I'll be going, probably best I don't get caught with my sails tied down here, I do have a wanted fugitive on board after all. Until next time, Aether. Remember to give it your all, no matter what you may encounter."
"I look forward to seeing you again Captain Beidou, as well, take good care of Kazuha for me, he's become a dear friend of mine recently," I replied to her.
"Of course, you have my word."
With that, she boards the Alcor once again, leaving us with Thoma.
"Follow me you two" Thoma beckons us and we follow him across the wooden dock.
"First things first, we need to get you registered at the border checkpoint" Thoma declares.
Paimon moves in front of the two of us.
"Um Paimon thought we were supposed to be keeping things on the down-low," she says.
"Yeah, are we just gonna walk into the government's hands? Just like that so easily?" I add.
Thoma laughs and looks into the distance.
"Don't underestimate the reaches of the Sakoku Decree. You two wouldn't be able to avoid inspection even if you tried." Thoma returns.
I look further at the town of Ritou. The Sakoku Decree, closing off Inazuma for the foreseeable future, just what is going on here? What are the Shogun's plans for the nation? That, as well as the Vision Hunt decree, I failed to wrap my head around all of it. But, I couldn't worry about all of the government's rulings. I came to Inazuma for answers as to Lumine's whereabouts, and if there's anything here, I was going to find it, no matter what.
Walking further down the dock, I remembered something Kazuha told me.
"Hey Thoma, do you happen to know about the Shirasagi Himegimi? A friend told me that she might be able to help me while I'm here." I ask him.
Thoma looks at me questioningly, then smiles.
"You could say that... I'm surprised you know of her, I'll inform you about her in due time, we're here."
We arrived at the border checkpoint at the entrance to the town. The person at the desk looked at me and Paimon strangely before returning to a more professional demeanour.
"Hello, please state your name, identity, and the purpose of your visit. Oh, except you, Thoma", she informs looking us up and down, "You must be...new here."
"We are here to find my sister, that's pretty much it," I say, looking at the desk person straight on.
The desk person doesn't look amused.
"Oh? Well I apologize. We cannot approve entry for purely personal reasons. So, unless you have a valid reason for visiting in accordance with the rules…"
I get a sinking feeling in my stomach and look at Paimon, who just stammers trying to make up a reason. Just then, Thoma whips out a few papers from his back and counts the sheets before handing them to the desk person.
"Here are their entry papers, for your kind perusal."
I look at Thoma, my mouth slightly agape. Now that is impressive, looks like the Fixer wasn't moniker for nothing.
After the debacle at the checkpoint, we head over to the Outlander Affairs Agency, to get residency. Where Thoma shows off just how much he's a hot commodity in Ritou and a master haggler over a "processing fee". The residency application is processed smoothly at the Agency afterwards. The three of us meet outside the staircase to the building later.
Paimon scratches her head in confusion over what just happened back there.
"What!? She went from two million to 600? There's something seriously wrong with people's sense of finance around here!" Paimon says.
I smile and cross my arms.
"You know, it reminds me of someone else's strange relationship with Mora," I say thinking about one such man in Liyue, "but I think it's about more than just the Mora here, right Thoma?"
Thoma nods. "Yep, it's not as mind-boggling as you think, the "processing fee" is just a figure of speech. The way some here at the agency see it, the fees are easy money, so it becomes a question of how much they can make. So if a merchant from the outside with more money than sense gets stuck here and has to apply for residency…"
"Then they'll milk them for all they're worth…" Paimon goes on.
I frown. "Doesn't anyone push back? That's blatant oppression against outlanders in my opinion."
"Well yes in a sense, but very little can be done about it when you're an outlander in such a place as this with these decrees in place. This is exactly when having a local friend comes in handy." Thoma explains.
We're not even a day nor even a stretch of adventuring into Inazuma, this is getting ridiculous. Zhongli wasn't joking around, it's bad. I
"This is also how the International Trade Association came about, since most outlanders decided sticking together was the best option. It provides help, support, and structure for outlanders trying to survive on Ritou among other things. An association by outlanders, for outlanders." Thoma goes on.
Paimon sighs. "Sounds like just stayin' alive is an achievement when you're an outlander in Inazuma"
"So how would an outlander ever get to meet the Shogun?" I finally ask.
Thoma looks at me with intrigue.
"I see... So this is the real purpose of the trip. Given the fact you two are outlanders, that's certainly a lofty aspiration." He says, "After all, the Raiden Shogun is the most exalted and revered one in all of Inazuma, a deity who reigns on high, while all other life gazes up in awe."
"That may well be the case, Thoma, but I need to find a way, I have no choice," I replied. I really did have no choice.
Thoma looks on with a smile. "Nothing is set in stone when it comes to who'll encounter in this world, let alone Inazuma. I'll give it to you straight, I know of a way to introduce you to the Raiden Shogun. But before we get there, connections come at a high price, you understand?"
"Ugh! Not you too!" Paimon exclaims.
"I'm not talking about Mora in this instance" he laughs, "if this is something you really want, you'll have to agree to help out some other people first."
I smile. "What's the job?"
The next day early morning, Kamisato Estate 07:36 | Ayaka
The Vision Hunt decree. Her excellency's magnum opus for seeing her vision of an eternal Inazuma.
The first time the decree was brought into effect, and innocent people robbed of their visions, I wonder what her excellency believed them to be. Had she not realized she so ruthlessly stripped her people of something they possessed so dearly? Or was her own ambition so cold and stoned to the point she no longer cared? Speaking my mind would be improper as I am a subject of the Almighty Shogun.
However, I could not stand idly by. And with the Traveller having now arrived on our shores, the mission had become less and less a forgone conclusion.
"Miss Kamisato? Your guard is ready and awaiting you."
"Then let us be off, there is still work to be done," I say.