MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! WISHING YOU ALL GREAT PULLS ON BANNERS AND ARTIFACTS!
Fanfiction Discord - nJxvDjhtZs
Book One: Chapter Twenty-Two
[Miko's Antics 2]
After a quick breakfast, not to mention the quickly-becoming dismissal from his courtyard's guards, the three were off. Unlike his once silky long sleeve, Miko had forced him to wear a more formal black robe and Qiqi a small blue robe. He didn't question why he had to wear it given the important political and somewhat diplomatic meeting but Qiqi was a different story.
"She's your sister. It is obvious she'll be by your side moving forward so therefore she needs to look her best as well." A part of him was expecting a snarky quip from the yokai but for her to answer so bluntly without any of the sorts laced in her tone, he'd be lying if he said he wasn't shocked. "Her status alone affects yours which in turn affects Inazuma and therefore myself. If anything of the sort looks bad, then I look bad."
Nevermind. There it was.
He could hear the subtle giggle from Ei in the back of his head. He had to pinch his hip to feign the grin forming upon his lips.
It didn't matter how many times he did it and would continue to do, scaling the oddly-shaped mountain to the Grand Narukami Shrine would always be tedious. Even if he wasn't tired despite carrying Qiqi. Something he stubbornly insisted against Miko's irritation. If he could make the journey easier for the young sister he hadn't seen in over a year, then damn it he was going to try. One sigh from the fox lady left him with a satisfied smile as he hunkered down to feel the young girl latch onto him. Before long, they'd reached the summit.
"Welcome back, Lady Yae. Good morning, Lady Qiqi, Almighty Shogun." Several shrine maidens bow in greeting.
"I assume everyone has situated themselves?"
"Yes, ma'am." One of the women answers. "They await your arrival."
"Very good. We'll be commencing the meeting."
While Miko was talking, Relon had finally taken the moment to inspect the grounds. Unlike before with its vast emptiness, there was a considerable presence of people. Shrine maidens as well as soldiers of Electro were all over the place. Feeling the subtle squeeze of Qiqi, he looks down to the girl, noticing the area as well. Returning it, her vermilion eyes lift to meet his own.
"Safety first." He smiles for the tiredness in her eyes to vanish as a nod comes in response.
"Are you three ready?"
Grasping her words, he only needs to take in the projection of Ei walking into view to pause next to Miko.
I am. She answers, her smile visible though he can swear there's something awkward about it as if forced.
"Mhm." Qiqi sounds for all three to look at the male.
"... Yeah. Time to get some answers."
"Hm. Let us head inside then. Do remember, treat it with a level of seriousness."
"Will do."
Making way for the three, Relon gives a parting smile to the bowing women and soldiers before entering.
Once more, they loom through the building before coming to a flight of steps. Ascending them, they find a double door with two guards. Standing at attention, Miko waves them off as the two soldiers move to open the door. Stepping through, his eyes take in their company. To his left, those of Electro plus Hu Tao and to his right, those affiliated with Cryo. All seated on cushions.
Walking through, he immediately knew something was awry. Beidou, Lisa, and Kaeya were chuckling over something. Considering they're the teasers and troublemakers, that alone backed his hypothesis. Rosaria was giving her usual light scowl. Something he was beginning to think was her normal expression. Razor and Chongyun were… looking at him.
Why are they giving me looks of what seems like condolence?
It may have to do with the remaining girls.
Huh?
Looking at the Cryos, he blinks at the very visible shades of red sporting Ganyu and Ayaka. His confusion is further amplified by Eula with her arms crossed. Her own blush isn't as deep as the aforementioned two but it's still visible from the short distance.
Why are they blushing?
Blinking, his eyes shift for his body to stagger back from the mild glares sent by the others.
And why are they glaring at me?!
"Aha, speak of the busy man himself!" Beidou waves with her ever exultant attitude not at all bothered by the dense atmosphere.
"What do you mean… 'busy?'" He hesitates to respond as Qiqi, seemingly unaffected or oblivious to the situation, strolls across the room takeing her place atop the cushion.
"Why your harem of course." Kaeya offers his chance to answer without a care in the world. "A mighty lord such as yourself would obviously need a concubine that meets your every need. Of course, marriage is another topic that we've been delving upon~." Throughout what he can only discern as genuine honestly, a sly smirk remains on the dark-skin's face.
Continuing his slow blink, his rate slowly increases as the swordsman's words finally sink in. Eyes beginning to cease their fit of fluttering, they go still as his head slightly tilts.
"What?"
"Can I shut them both up? I'm tired of hearing this drama." Rosaria growls. Apparently this had been going on for a while.
Brain. Calculating. Electro girls are mad. Cryo girls are blushing. Mention of harem-
As if he's found the last piece to the puzzle, his confused expression dampens into a look of annoyance as his eyes turn to the kitsune wearing a coy smirk.
"Explain. Now." He growls the equivalent of Rosaria.
"Not much to explain. One thing led to another."
"Miko…" His eyes focus on the passing woman.
Stopping to give him a momentary glance, likely of disapproval at his serious demeanor, she withdraws a photo before tossing it his way. Grabbing it, his expression lightens to freeze.
Plain as day, he himself cuddled by the three Cryo girls.
"I swear it…" Eula mutters clearly struggling to conform. "Vengeance will be mine…!"
"If you must know, I had that photo taken for a few reasons." Miko speaks, stuttering to her spot. "One; it was a golden opportunity that would make any a fool to not take advantage of. Two; it makes for wonderful material for my novels. Three; the chaos it could and has caused was something I needed to see. So much so it was practically a necessity. Fourth of all-"
"There's more than three?!" Relon bats an eye. "Wait, that's what you did?!"
"Actually, she listed 10 different reasons." Chongyun murmurs out.
"You stated this meeting was to be dealt with professionally. More specifically, you wanted me to act serious."
"Sweetie, this meeting has been anything but serious, I assure you that much." Lisa dismisses with a wave.
"Feels like more of a ruse than anything serious." Rosaria scoffs.
"Miko. How many did you make…?"
"Hmm. Only a few…" A breath of relief exits his lips. "Dozen." Nearly gawking at her, he feels a slight surge of Electro travel down his spine.
Relon… Ei calls knowingly.
Sighing, his eyes go to the ceiling.
Why me?
Hehe, because you are loved.
I am questioning where exactly that is.
Returning to the group before him, his eyes go back to the photograph in hand. A part of him hated to admit it but the photograph was nice. A hard fought battle gave way to genuine fatigue from the four. Just like Miko said, it was an opportune photo to instill on paper for all to see. Still…
"Miko, you used this to test the reactions of everyone. Right or wrong?" He eyes the woman.
Catching sight of her ears flicker, Miko's amused demeanor mellows out.
"That's correct."
"Commemorative photos are fine but don't use them for ulterior motives when it involves others that aren't directly affiliated with Inazuma. At least not yet."
"Fine, fine."
Momentarily looking between Beidou, Lisa, and Kaeya, he wanted to berate them for assisting Miko's obvious antics but given recent circumstances with a certain drunkard and past memories regarding the other two, he wouldn't bother.
"As for, ahem, the relationship ordeal, we'll discuss more on that shortly. Just know I have no intentions of marriage." He says, each female in the room shifting to neutrality at his declaration. "With the way things are, both regarding myself and this war, marriage is something I'm not ready for."
"So it's off the table… for now." Kaeya responds with a smug grin.
Relon knew the male wouldn't let that topic fall from the table so he'd have to settle for a later discussion.
"For now." He relents. "Eula." Head perking at attention, her eyes lock onto his own. "You're free to claim vengeance should Miko pull another stunt like this." He smiles for Miko's own to drop.
"Excuse me?"
"You're excused. Now hush." He orders with a deadpan expression to return to the Spindrift Knight who smiles after a moment.
"Understood, sir- erm. I mean… Relon." gratitude as plain as day, her eyes shift to Miko with a smirk of her own. This Eula was definitely better already.
"Ganyu, Ayaka, I can only imagine what some people were saying." He eyes Kaeya and Beidou. "Apologies for whatever you two along with Eula had to deal with."
"It's quite alright! It was... lively." Ganyu notes with a chuckle.
"I will not lie. My heart was racing at the prospect some were speaking on." Ayaka cuts to Kaeya who only smiles ignoring the glare by Rosaria. "Though it was a fun experience to be a part of."
"Hmpf, I only hope I mustn't wait long before I claim my vengeance."
She sure talks about vengeance often, huh?
So it would seem.
"Rosaria." He leans his head past Eula to the woman clearly annoyed. "I'll leave any 'commotion' for you to handle from now on." If her scowl was normal, then the eerie grin the nun now sports is definitely a rare sight.
"Leave it to me, Boss."
Nodding, his gaze falls to the two boys. He only needs to give an apologetic look for them to dismiss the troubles. He definitely owed them some reprieve from the constant drama.
Turning to the Electro girls plus Hu Tao, he crosses his arms.
"Alright, I'm all ears."
"Erk." Hu Tao winces shuffling behind Sara. "He's flipped the tables on us!"
"No. It's called being reasonable." His eyes droop on the lone Pyro. "I'm guessing you four got somewhat miffed at the sight."
"To a degree, yes." Sara speaks up with a sigh of her own.
"To a degree?" He repeats arching a brow.
"Yes. A minor degree." Keqing nods.
"Uh huh..."
"Hmpf, a moderate extension of our effort." Fischl mumbles.
"Mhmm..."
"OKAY! YES, IT BOTHERED US! SUE US!" Hu Tao groans, rocking Sara back and forth.
"Hey, let go! I was not that bothered!" Sara twitches in irritation for the three to widen.
"YOU WERE THE ONE WHO WAS READY TO DRAG HIM AWAY TO WHO KNOWS WHERE!" Hu Tao exclaims. "You were probably gonna fly him away to some island and keep him for yourself." She mutters.
Tic mark forming, Sara jerks her body back sending the Pyro tumbling to hit the wall.
Oh boy. Drama incoming. He mentally sighs.
"AT LEAST I WASN'T ABOUT TO WAKE HIM UP WITH FIRE!"
"I WAS WELL WITHIN MY RIGHT!"
"Here she goes about to play the 'I've known him the longest' card." Keqing sighs for a tic mark to now form on Hu Tao.
Rushing over, Hu Tao tackles the girl for a grunt to sound. Looking down at the two rolling, he eyes both pinch at the other's cheeks.
"Oya, oya?! Least I wasn't crackling with electricity, Ms. Jealous-Leggings!"
Relon can only watch as a third tic mark appears on Keqing. Rolling over, said girl ends up on top of Hu Tao.
"I KEEP TELLING YOU TO STOP CALLING ME THAT!"
I don't know if I should stop this or not. They're fighting but it's over me…
Well it is obvious that you find the sight appealing.
Can you go one moment without looking into what is a turn on.
"Fufufu, you mortals asserting claim over your own petty justifications."
Oh God, Fischl. Just why?
"DO NOT START, YOU PERSONA WANNABE!"
Finally, the mark of irritation permeates atop the blonde's forehead.
"IT IS NOT A PERSONA! IT'S AN ALTER EGO, YOU JERKS!"
"THEY'RE THE SAME THING!" Sara chides.
"NO THEY'RE NOT! THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE!"
"WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?!" Keqing demands.
"ONE IS SELECTIVE WHEREAS THE OTHER IS HEREDITARY!"
"NO THE HELL IT'S NOT AND YOU KNOW IT!" Hu Tao shouts.
One minute they're mad at me and the next they're arguing with one another.
Ah, the fond chaos we've oh so missed.
I can literally feel the sarcasm. Seriously, why me?
Exuding a breath, he gives a glance to Rosaria. Said woman was already eager to begin her new job. Dismissing the thought with a shake, her sinister smirk lessens as his eyes go to Lisa. Giving him a giggle, he nods at the silent request.
Out of nowhere, an arc of electricity zips in between the four hitting the door. A subtle hint of smoke resounds from the point of impact. Frozen in place, the four nervously turn to a smiling Lisa.
"Now, children, I believe we've experienced enough of your banter~." A purr comes though the electricity pulsating from her finger betrays the image of innocence. "Our dear Shogun would like to commence this meeting." She eases.
"Thank you, Lisa." He nods watching the four retake their seats with embarrassment written on their faces.
Either there's a major trust issue since my absence or they just get jealous easily.
Hmm. I would take a gander at the latter. They clearly trusted you to return from that woman's subconscious so I believe their affection for you is simply the catalyst behind their behavior.
I don't know if that's a good thing or bad. Still… A smile makes its way onto his face. Seeing them care is… nice. That and seeing the usually reserved Sara act similar to the others was definitely a fun sight.
Meeting eyes with Sara, her flushed face deepens as she averts her gaze.
"Are we all good now?" He looks around to receive meek nods from the girls.
"We're sorry..." They mutter for chuckles to resound.
"It's fine. The only reason that occurred was because we were celebrating our victory at getting Eula back. That with convenient placements led to where we are." He summarizes to finally take a seat. "Now then, any other comments before this thing starts?"
"Actually I-"
"Denied." He cuts off the kitsune without a shred of care.
"What? Why?"
"This entire situation began because you took that photo. The same one that you will be confiscating from any and all you have distributed to."
"You aren't serious!" She gasps in horror.
"You're not opposing me, are you Miko…?"
Appalledness meets seriousness for the battle to quickly end in its loss.
"Fine!" She sighs in defeat. "Ugh, you're no fun."
"Haha. Alright, let's get this thing started." As soon as the words exit his mouth, Relon feels his body stiffen. "What the hell?!" He widens as the dark void begins to shroud everyone.
Plane of Euthymia
Eyes adjusting, he slowly stands to immediately take in their setting. Hard ground accompanied by the grainy sand and dunes, dim red sky, overarching moon in the distance seemingly stuck halfway over the horizon…
"Definitely Ei's plane." Miko muses as the others stare all around. "It's been some time and yet it still holds that dull atmosphere as ever."
"Jeez, Miko. You just don't have a filter, do you?" He chuckles.
"No, she doesn't." A familiar voice answers for all eyes to look towards Relon.
Hearing said voice, he's about to turn for a pair of arms to wrap around his chest pulling him in. Only able to blink, heat quickly rises to his cheeks as soft mesh presses against him.
"W-W-Wha…?" He stammers out alongside a shiver at the sight of Ei hugging him from behind. "Ei, what are you doing?"
"Considering our last time meeting face-to-face you attacked in a fit of rage, I believe a greeting of physical contact is only necessary. It is wrong to wish for such towards one I admire so greatly?" She giggles to let go.
"T-That's not… Ugh, nevermind." Suppressing his further embarrassment, his eyes go to the others wearing mixed expressions.
It was then that it dawned on him. This was the first time that the Cryos were meeting Ei. Even more, this was the other's reunion after he and Ei vanished a year ago. Even Qiqi's demeanor was difficult to read. It was so… neutral. Not her normal neutral but something different altogether. Even Ei's smile had shifted to a stoic expression of her own.
For a while, none spoke. He'd guess some were sizing her up while others were pondering their own "greetings." Whether they had prepared such things in advance and were now finding it difficult to follow through or not was in the air. All he knew was the tension they had forced out back in the shrine had followed and it was denser than before. Then there he was. Dead middle of both sides.
Seriously. Why me…?
AndyKurosaki98: Moment between the siblings, that's nice. Bit of a side note but, has Relon eaten anything since he arrived in Inazuma? idk I just thought about it, I'm not sure if whatever he ate in his mindscape counts either.
Sibling love is always a nice thing especially with our adorable Qiqi. And yes! It wasn't directly mentioned but he ate something when he sparred against Sara. It's hilarious given there's been no clear indication so I get that lol.
Randomguy0110100100110: There gonna be a Dramatic plotline with the fact that Ei
Is controlling the Mc?
Yes. Yes there is. Next chapter actually.
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed this little present~. See you all on New Years along with an announcement. So close to 100k...!