Dawn broke and sunlight slowly blanketed the Court of Fontaine. While most of the nation's citizens continued sleeping, not needing to get up for a few more hours, a few early birds were already preparing for or even starting their day. One of those already up, however, was not an early bird.

"Ahhhhhh…" The Hydro Archon groaned as she struggled to keep her eyes open. Despite having her usual amazing breakfast fit for a divine like her and an appropriately heavenly bath, she still lacked the energy to stay awake. It took every ounce of her will not to fall flat on her face on the street then and there. "Why did you wake me up this early…? Do you truly hate me, Aether…?"

"This was your idea," replied an exasperated Aether. Unlike her, he was used to having little sleep (not that he enjoyed being woken up early either) To hide his identity— not that it'll avert the few eyes on the street thanks to Furina's loud whining and the guards escorting them —he wore a large cloak to cover his entire body. "You were the one who set up this interview this early, remember?"

His reminder only made Furina pout. "Why didn't you disagree with me then? You should know I dislike waking up early for anything without good reason!"

"Lady Furina, I advise you not to raise your voice. It will only worsen your mood," Clorinde interjected. "We will soon reach our destination. You can resume your rest once you and Sir Aether finish your business."

While she was still grumbling, Chlorinde's scolding disguised as advice managed to calm Furina down. "The interviewer better not waste our time with silly and useless questions," she scoffed under her breath. What exactly constituted "silly and useless" was unclear but Aether wished whoever is covering his story luck.

Yelan stared at the pictures laid out before her on the table. They were of the various locales in Fontaine she noted as places of interest. Most of the photos were of the beautiful opera house where the city's trials were held. Worse comes to worst, she could try setting things up there for a quick getaway.

As she was devising the beginning of several plans, she heard knocking come from the door. It was quickly answered by Xiao, who she believed stayed up the entire night. Yelan did not know whether he could function without sleeping much but she worried he might be burning the candle at both ends. Getting him to take a break was now on her long to-do list.

In any case, their visitors were their new partners in crime— Diluc, Kaeya, and, thanks to Keqing bumping into him the previous night, the General Mahamatra of the Akademiya. "Welcome, all of you. I'd offer tea or coffee but I'm afraid room service hasn't delivered what I ordered yet," she greeted them with a smile. "And I must say, it is fortunate we found another ally in the city with the same goals as us."

"Likewise," Cyno replied with a serious face but Yelan knew he was grateful nonetheless. "For a second, I thought I'd have to rescue Aether alone since my "companion" would rather focus on other matters."

"Where's the other one? We should already discuss our plans." Diluc, ever the serious-minded person he was, changed the topic to their shared mission.

"Thanks to the information she obtained last night, Keqing saw it fit to try buying as many tabloids as she could." Yelan admitted reading tabloids could still give useful info. The major and unavoidable problem will be discerning the embellished, exaggerated, and straight-up lies from the truth. That was why she avoided them most of the time.

Kaeya then chimed in with his usual smile. "If what they say is anything like the tabloids in Mondstadt, it would just be overblown rumours of Aether's relationships. Back home, they tried playing up any and all interactions he has with anyone who looks like a girl, even our local bard."

"They're the same everywhere, aren't they? I've myself found some columns talking about me and Aether in the local papers too." Yelan laughed to herself. There was nothing going on between them, of course, but Yelan could still remember the daggers Keqing was shooting at her the next time they met after those papers were published.

She knew why it was such a popular topic, with the Traveler's fame across the lands of Teyvat. There was even an article about it in the Steambird a while back. It was obvious who Office Lady Ms. G was (and who she was talking about); however, to this day, Yelan still wondered who Mysterious Girl N was…

Realising she was getting distracted, Yelan motioned for them to join her at her table. "I believe I don't need to tell you what this place is." She referred to the photos. "As with all trials held in Fontaine, Aether's will be held in the Opera Epiclese. I don't know what the Steambird was going on about jury; that is not how they do it in Fontaine." That bit of misinformation must have been due to the article's writer not having a clue how things work; the Steambird has writers from all over Teyvat so it was unlikely but possible. "Ragvindr, Alberect, can I trouble you two to scope out the opera house? There should be two court hearings held today; attend them and see if you can discover anything useful."

"The two of us?" asked Diluc.

"Yes."

"I decline—"

"He means he has no issue with this arrangement," Kaeya interjected which earned him an annoyed glare from the redhead.

"If it's any consolation, Mr Ragvindr, the seats are all separated."

"…Fine, what will you three do in the meantime?"

Cyno answered first— "I know some Akademiya members who have been in the city since before Aether's arrest. I'll see if I can get some intel from them."

"And what about you, Yelan? I assume you'll be taking Xiao here with you."

"That is up to him." Though she believed the answer was yes. "As for my own plans for today, Keqing's chance encounter with that woman last night gave me an idea. Aether may have not been in Fontaine for long, he attracts allies just as well as he attracts trouble. I'll be asking around if he's made any new friends that might help us." And the first people in mind was the two Aether represented in a trial when he got into the city— the famous magician and his assistant. They should help them to repay Aether (if they hadn't done so yet).

However, Cyno gave her another helpful tip. "In that case, there's another person you can speak to. Are you familiar with the works of a certain Steambird journalist?"

Charlotte was of two minds when she was forced to come to the office earlier than she had to. On one hand, she was irritated, especially since she was not paid by the hour. On the other hand, she was going to interview her friend who has been making the news (again) recently and Fontaine's Archon. An opportunity like this was never going to fall into her lap again!

If only she had the energy to show her excitement. The coffee was not quite kicking in yet…

"Look alive, Charlotte. Lady Furina will arrive soon. You do not want to give our Archon a terrible first impression, do you?" her editor-in-chief playfully chided her. While she had a good point, Charlotte could still not help bemoaning why she had to wake up so early after already spending most of the night working on another article. She had to sleep under her desk for the fifth time this month. Passionate journalist or not, her legs were still cramping up.

Soon enough, after a couple more minutes of waiting, the moment finally arrived. Gardes came up the stairs and formed lines on either side of the street leading up the Steambird before, strolling down the street with an air of regality and confidence, was the ever majestic and dramatic Lady Furina. Accompanying her was the Champion Duelist, Chlorine as expected, and a cloaked individual. It took little thinking to figure out who that was…

"Salutations, my dear followers! Rejoice, for I have graced your institute dedicated to uncovering and spreading the truth with my presence."

The speech was nice and all but Charlotte would rather they move along with it quickly. She also had a couple other articles to work on.

"I— huh?" Before she could continue with her speech she no doubt prepared the night before, her cloaked companion leaned towards her and whispered something into her ear. "D–Don't rush me, okay? I prepared this for a long time in case I ever decided to visit the Steambird!"

'Please rush her. My legs are about to give out on me.'

—rumble

As if the world itself was taking pity on her, they heard the distant sounds of thunder before the early morning sky quickly turned grey. The sudden change in weather as expected of Fontaine proved to be a relief just as much as it is a nuisance once again. Charlotte was not sure if that particular legend about the Hydro Dragon was true but she still found herself silently thanking him for crying.

Putting on the sweetest face she could, Charlotte addressed her Archon. "Lady Furina, may I suggest we take everything indoors before it starts raining?"

"Urghhhh… fine!" Her oh-so wise and knowledgeable (wait no, that's more for Lesser Lord Kusanali, Charlotte realised) Archon gave up on trying to complete her introductory speech. "Let us enter and commence this interview!"

After several days of non-stop travel, they finally reached their destination— the Court of Fontaine. Stepping off the aquabus onto solid ground, Ayaka stretched her legs out and took in the air of the Nation of Hydro's capital. She did not know all too much about the nation outside some brief talks with those who are from or visited Fontaine, but she knew it is one of the most technologically advanced places on Teyvat. And sure enough, even on the ride on the aquabus, Ayaka could tell whatever they have here was leagues ahead of what they have back home.

"Lady Kamisato, shall we head to the hotel first?" Thoma suggested their first step. Naturally, that was what they should do… but Ayaka already made other plans.

"Can I leave that to you, Thoma?" Not that her loyal mai— housekeeper would say no. "I think it's better if I head straight to the administrative building immediately. The sooner we get a hold of details relating to Aether's trial, the better and easier I could rest."

"Of course but… are you sure you want to go alone?"

Thoma's worry only made her snicker from amusement. "Don't worry too much. The Court of Fontaine is one of the safest cities in the world and even then, I can take care of myself," Ayaka tried to ease his concern. "Now let's not waste any time and be off."

Now here's to hoping they'll succeed in their mission in saving the Traveler…

A/N: Fontaine is finally out and I am loving it! Genuinely, the story had me captured more so Genshin usually does and I'm excited for what's in store for the future. And the characters. Oh man… I knew I was going to like them but not to the extent I do now that I've done the two Acts plus Lyney's SQ. And Furina was equal parts hilarious and lovable for most of the story, backing down and panicking every time things didn't go her way. The fact she challenged and then tried arresting the Traveler the second they get to the harbour is just begging to be poked fun at.

Anyway, with the update now out and I know for sure how certain characters act, there'd be slight… adjustments here and there. Nothing major and no big retcanons but if things are not quite like earlier chapters, please bear with it. In any case, every nation representative is in the Fontaine; how long will it be before things go off the rails?

Also, fun fact, the Palas Mermonia (the administrative building) serves both as Neuvillette's office… and Furina's residence. Yeah… so turns out when Kaeya and Keqing were in sad boi's office, Aether was like a few floors above them.

P.S. there's a reference to a funny comic from a bit back that I got reminded of while writing. That's why that got thrown in. If you know, you know. If not, look up Scandal on the GI subreddit