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Chapter 16: Peace of Diplo, War of Sisters
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Sangonomiya Kokomi had long been told this was the end goal of their dynasty.
The ultimate achievement, the completion of their defiance, and the realization of a centuries-old feud. Right here, in Tatarasuna, the Shogunate Entourage had finally arrived bringing peace to the land and... they were on the losing side.
Confidently perched by her chair, Kokomi had been coached by her most loyal benefactor, her big brother Sampo, but he wasn't there himself because 'it is such a tedious thing'. And Kokomi couldn't help but agree with the feeling. She would be lying if she said her current smile was honest to her thoughts.
It wasn't.
She should be the happiest, yet she felt most dry after what had felt like a rather boring circumstance. The last conflict between Watatsumi and Narukami presented a rather monumental change, one that had her celebrating most as the invitation arrived to her court. But now?
Kokomi bit down a sigh, especially as her body sharpened while the Shogun was truly there. She thought it a jest, a ploy, but the Shogun herself was there to led the delegation. Kujou Sara, always the loyal believer of the Shogunate, looked far less submissive to her leader. In fact, one could say the once proud and loyal Tengu was frustrated by her 'beloved goddess'.
The key to negotiations was to be the one holding all the cards. And to show what has to be shown for a pleasant conversation. In this specific case, the little Electro-powered chess-piece that the Shogun was eyeing. The Gnosis.
Usually those were quite monumental, important. But it would be a lie to say that it was to the Shogun. No, the Shogun didn't need this to exert her will, but she didn't want anyone to have it. Hence why Kokomi did as she was advised: she handed it over without any demand.
"Why?" The Shogun asked, showing uncharacteristic interest to the situation.
"Well, I amgiving it to you because I , isn't this the benevolence one would expect from a good leader to a fellow leader."
The Shogun was known to not pick up subtle jab, and she sure didn't as she merely frowned at those words. Unlike the Archon, Sara looked aware of the slap, but she kept quiet. Either her submission was still too strong or it had waned to the point of not caring to point out insults like a well-trained dog.
No matter.
The negotiations were intense. Kokomi followed both Sampo and her late grandmother's wisdom combined: you have to play to win- and you need to play hard to win hard.
So, the papers were prepared with the ruthless perception of shattering more than just the hold Narukami had over Tatarasuna. What Kokomi offered was a Declaration of Independence.
"So you wish to suffer the fate of Khaenri'ah?" The Shogun asked with confusion.
"Why would we suffer the fate of a God-hating nation? We love our benevolent lord, Orobashi, for while he passed away at your hand, his spirit and determination stuck to our souls and hearts, giving us the dedication to prove a point you so desperately tried to crush," Kokomi flatly proclaimed. "Watatsumi is not yours to claim, nor will your thunders ever sunder our beaches and our lands. For we stood by the storm and came out untouched and stronger."
More posturing, it felt exhausting, but now their diplomats got talking. It was indeed pure mental gymnastics. Of the kind that the Shogun didn't feel too pleased about, but went along anyway. What came out was the Tatarasuna Treaty, and it was a most glorious day as far as Kokomi was entertained to care.
It was a defeat for a God, it was a defeat for her people. For Inazuma had truly split in half, and Watatsumi had done the impossible: it had shattered the seven regionalism and created a new country worthy of being recognized as its own independent element.
She should feel elated, but she was just... Well, happy. As the meeting ended, the parties left and hostilities ended, the Kujou Camp started to be dismantled to just a fourth of its original side. Gone was the need for a substantial military presence and a major demobilization would only do well considering the immense dissence shown towards the Shogun Army and the way it claimed blood, money, and chances to live from its own citizens.
"So, how's the Queen of Victory going?"
Kokomi groaned, the towering paperwork that now stood before her already a reason for frustration.
"Sampo-nii, you didn't tell me this would be the end result!"
The whine was so childish, but fair for her 'adult' annoyance. As Sampo chuckled, tapping at her desk.
"Whatever you mean. Claiming a land means having to also keep it once you won it by the diplomatic table."
And that was indeed the case. With the scientists hired from the Fontainian group sent to shut down the furnace once the Fatui had been removed during the war, Tatarasuna was bound to become new land to 'colonize'. Without people living there, the fertile soil and the space was bound to expanding Watatsumi's economy...
While also doubling the headachy documentation to sign on a daily basis. At least, until she could get a governor appointed and shift the unholy paperwork to them.
"Cheer up, Komi-hime. You know we are still doing that fun haunting camp experience later this month."
Oh yes, the 'Spooky Month' experience. She had fond memories of those, if she ignored the genuine frights she got with how terrifying Sampo could get in those circumstances. And this time around not only would they do it with a new addition, that being the mysterious Arbad girl, but also in Tatarasuna where 'the dead spirits of the old soldiers haunted the beaches'.
...
"Couldn't we do it in Watatsumi?" She asked, already suppressing a shudder at the idea of facing a horror situation away from home.
"Nope."
She deflated, but her dismay lasted just a moment as a bowl full of cookies appeared beside her.
"Still, don't get too worked up. Keep hydrated and heat for this is going to take a toll on you if you don't."
And he was gone, and Kokomi sighed in relief... as she could go back to her silly novel involving a step brother and her determined step sister trying to win his affections.
Komi-hime could, after all, hope to win this one too. She was the 'Queen of Victory' after all, and she had already done the impossible.
If only Sampo could see his little sister trying to get his heart!
Arlecchino had brought a hand to her nose just in time, pinching it as she suppressed the need to sneeze.
Oddly enough, she still felt annoyed for some reasons despite today being a fairly good day. After all, the two twins she had rescued had proved themselves quite well-mannered and eager to learn.
Lyney and Lynette were a curious change to the usual habit of adopting orphans. These two were clever and worked harmoniously in their own curious manners. Even more, she found their synergy quite familiar to mind.
Fondly so.
It reminded her of bygone times, of a lost brother she had yet to find out of. She knew he lived, she knew where he supposedly was as Arlecchino heard that Columbina had gone to Inazuma and, in the words of the Fatui agents that found her, made ahasty return to Snezhnaya as she crashlanded there without any clothes.
Vaporized as she was sent into the outer skies and then made a harsh return to the ground. Many would be upset or afraid of the occurrence, but she was found cackling. And she did so for hours after even being found. The first words that came out of her lips was-
He gets me firing!
Which was concerning, and annoying, but nonetheless frustrating. Holding back a scowl, Arlecchino resumed coaching the twins. They listened to her, little Lynette being the most obedient by nature, while her brother held that same authored smile that Sampo used to bear against trouble. He had yet to accept the new status quo, but the boy was slowly conceding that this was the best way to survive.
The House of the Hearth was the finest institute to grow up in Snezhnaya and... allegedly, even more in Inazuma.
She should feel upset over the notion of Sampo had stolen her branch in Inazuma, but it would be a lie as Sampo had merely snatched it from someone already proving to be hostile to her new doctrine. Thus, in a sense, it crushed a rebellious side that could have couped her own rule, and set up a potential ally in the future.
For Sampo was, brother or not, a child of Fontaine and thus someone that cared for the Prophecy.
He will return to her, in due time, and then they will see how much they have grown since the last time they met. Both for herself, and Clervie's sake.
AN
How close to the canon we are?
Well... next time, Sampo goes to Mondstadt and he so happens to find himself someone strapped to his hips. Perhaps too strongly, I dare to say.