Cell vs Yumemizuki Mizuki
In Inazuma City, a part of the continental region of Teyvat, Cell and Cy Yu were wandering the streets of the capital city of Inazuma.
"Next time, I'm flying," Cell told Cy Yu in an irritated tone, lugging a chest full of an assortment of items, notably jewelry. Bloodied jewelry.
"Look, I wasn't expecting a zombie outbreak on the damn boat!" Cy Yu replied. "I'm just glad some of the unfortunate souls on that ferry happened to have guns on them… but still-"
Cell glared at the VTuber. "This was supposed to be fun!" Cell shouted. Cell dropped the chest of jewelry. "And now I have to be paranoid because you're attracting trouble just like Kermit does!"
"Bitch, do I look like I intended for any of this?" Cy Yu retorted. "We should at the very least be happy we made it to Inazuma… alive."
"We could have avoided this if I flew."
"You listen here-!" Cy Yu began, before taking a deep breath and looking away. "I was just trying to be nice."
"If someone hired you to kill me, tell me now," Cell stated, half-joking but leaning more on the serious half of his statement.
"Look, tell ya what," Cy Yu said. "If the experience was SO BAD, I'll take you to a place that may or may not help alleviate the negativity for a moment or two."
Cell was silent, before raising an eyebrow. "...you have my attention."
"Welcome to Aisa Bathhouse," a woman with light blue hair said with a smile.
"Can we get the full package?" Cy Yu asked the woman. "My buddy here had a traumatic experience with the undead before we somehow docked a ship here at Inazuma."
"Easy," the woman said with a smile. "My name is Yumemizuki Mizuki. Allow me to assist."
"Out of curiosity, what is the full package?" Cell asked, having never been here before.
"Simply put, I'm a clinical psychologist," Mizuki explained. "More in-depth, I'm a youkai who studied human behavior to assist me in helping to relieve stress and nightmares."
"Like those Yo-Kai from the Yo-Kai World?" Cell questioned, recalling the other set of Yo-Kai that existed in the world.
Mizuki thought about Cell's response, before saying, "Well, not inaccurate. But I'm more or less a native of Inazuma." Mizuki smiled. "I'm a yumekui-baku, or a 'dream eater'. Simply put, I'll eat your nightmares and give you counseling and therapy."
"That feels like an oversimplification," Cy Yu remarked.
Mizuki gave Cy Yu a side eye glance. "Believe me, we have lots of dumb people coming here every day. I'd rather get to the point than see someone flounder about."
"So am I meant to soak and receive therapy?" Cell asked now.
"No, that's separate," Mizuki explained, returning to a more professional tone. "But soaking may help you relax, so please, feel free to enjoy the hot springs."
"Very well," Cell said as he went to the baths and sat down. There were other people present, and most notably were the yumekui-baku that worked as staff members in human form. There were also several other creatures present as well. "...what are these things?"
"Ah, those are Baku, the Yo-Kai from the Yo-Kai World ruled by Lord Enma," Mizuki answered as a Baku ate the dreams of a human that had fallen asleep. "Unlike the yumekui-baku of Inazuma, these ones have no qualms with eating the sweet dreams of anyone. Additionally since there are no repercussions… lucky…"
"So uh… why are they here?" Cell asked. Before he could get an answer, one of the Baku sneezed, causing a puff of smoke to engulf Cell. When the smoke cleared, he was fast asleep.
"That," Mizuku responded. "That is why they are here. To instantly put people to sleep." Mizuku shook her head. "Someone reset the flier. A Baku sneezed on someone soaking."
"Sounds like this happens a lot," Cy Yu commented.
"Yes," Mizuki answered. "But considering how the Baku are a cousin of the yumekui-baku… well, let's just say I wish to help branch the family ties. Similarly, this helps with getting the youkai of Inazuma and the Yo-Kai of the Yo-Kai World to end old rivalries caused by Lord Enma the Ancient, the previous ruler."
"...yeah, I'm not interested in the lore you guys have," Cy Yu stated as Cell slipped further into the hot spring.
"And I'm not surprised by that," Mizuki replied with a deadpan expression. Mizuki looked at Cell, watching him drown in the bathtub. "...I should probably drag him out of there."
"Eh, he'll be fine," Cy Yu replied. "He's basically a plant and can survive off of water… I think."
"Oh, then in that case…" Mizuki walked over to Cell and sat on the edge of the hot spring, before closing her eyes. After a moment or two, she opened her eyes and looked a bit nauseous. "Oh… oh my god…"
"And… what just happened?" Cy Yu asked.
"I ate his nightmares," Mizuki answered as she stood up. "I entered the dreamscape for a second and…" Mizuki put a hand over her mouth, making a retching noise. "...I'll be back." She then quickly left the room.
Cy Yu was baffled, stunned that whatever nightmares Cell had had caused Mizuki to become nauseous, and also caused her to vomit in the other room. "...just what the hell was Cell dreaming of?" Cy Yu questioned.
Eh, don't got much for an ending. Tough luck in that regard. But I think we might need shorter chapters since I'm doing bulk uploads of multiple chapters, some of longer length. What do you all think?
Anyways, catch you all in the next chapter!