Chapter Text
Inazuma's borders were open.
This was, for the rest of Teyvat, an intense change, especially to those in politics. All efforts were to be focused on the Electro nation, ties that had been built via written correspondence needing reinforcement now that other offers may be made in person, and this meant meetings. Many, many meetings between world leaders that had previously never set eyes upon the other's face, treading a vast and dangerous political no man's land in the interests of their people. It was far too serious for the liking of some, far too much pressure to place on the shoulders of a representative, and this is where the solution began to take hold.
It had been the suggestion of the Shirasagi Himegimi to hold a festival of sorts. Of course, the Yashiro Commission would be in charge of this, hosting these guests from faraway lands in their own halls, and attempting to grasp at some form of acquaintance rather than simple political ties. Surely this would benefit the nation greater than superficial friendships made just for the papers?
For once, the vote among the Tri-Commission was largely positive. The best course of action and the best interests of the nation would lie in the forging of personal ties, and perhaps it was also in the best interests of the people of Inazuma to allow such a vast cultural exchange. Many feared crossing into their territory after the lengthy reign of the Sakoku Decreee, unsure of just how safe it could be in such a short period of time after it's abolition, and this kind of welcome may convince them otherwise.
The event was not too difficult to set up - it was a quick process to create a list of the most important officials, one from each country, and to ask for the fastest response they could manage. Each nation without fail had agreed to send a spokesperson, and although a few named guests were not the desired ones, it was the expected headcount given each official was permitted a plus one. It was then only a matter of setting up residence for each person, many of which would stay within the Kamisato Estate itself as a show of hospitality, before these select few could arrive.
Eventually the day came that the first guests were set to arrive, coming from Mondstadt. The rest would follow suit in the coming week, expectations both high and low amongst them, and only time could tell how this would turn out.
It couldn't go too wrong.
---
In Mondstadt...
The letter had been placed atop Jean's hefty pile of paperwork one morning. The stationery was intricate, envelope bordered in a daring kind of violet and sealed with the stamp of the Shogunate. It had caught her eye immediately; letters from Inazuma were few and far between, more so directly from the Shogunate itself. It must have been important.
She took her time opening it, carefully removing the seal and setting the envelope aside as she read each cursive word with interest:
'Acting Grand Master,
As I am sure you are aware, the Inazuman borders have been opened to all, and the Sakoku Decree lifted. It is in light of such event that I, the Yashiro Commissioner, cordially invite you plus a guest to a festival of sorts designed to better the ties between all seven nations of Teyvat. Should you be unable to attend, I hope you will consider sending a trusted representative in your stead. It would be an honour to make your acquaintance in person after all this time.
We await your reply with spirit.
Sincerely,
Lord Kamisato.'
She must have read through the invitation three or so times before truly considering it's contents. Inazuma... it was new territory. She could not attend, surely not when this event was being held so far away from Monstadt. Her duties were far too great to be away for such a period of time as this may take, what with the travel and such...
Someone would go in her stead, and Jean knew just who she wanted to send.
---
The apparently pre-opened letter, neatly resealed but evidently crumpled lightly from fingertips, was unceremoniously chucked on top of Kaeya’s completely work-related book that same afternoon. He glanced up at Jean, raising an eyebrow wordlessly as he read through it with a soft sigh.
"Me, your plus one? I'm flattered-" he started, but Jean cut him off incredibly quickly.
"No, you're going in my stead," Jean corrected, leaning on the edge of Kaeya’s desk. She had little space with which to do so, given the state of the thing. She was surprised it wasn't crumbling to pieces under the weight of all these scattered files. "Your people skills are somewhat better than a lot of others'."
Kaeya smiled, baring no teeth as he did so, and scanned the letter again. A plus one, he thought. Who on earth do they expect me to bring? He only had a single second to think before Jean snapped her fingers.
"You aren't to take Klee."
Kaeya immediately groaned. Of course, Klee had been his first thought. She did so enjoy their trip to Sumeru, after all, and he almost didn't want to go without his little adventure buddy. "Why not?" he asked, leaning forwards on his desk.
Jean sighed, irritated by the slightest question. She could tell she'd be losing this battle already. "She's in solitary again and I won't have you letting her get away with her behaviour."
Kaeya snorted. As if Klee wasn't already ten minutes down the road, giggling to herself at the neat little hairpin trick he'd taught her with the lock. Really, if Jean believed she was still in there, she was only fooling herself. Still, Kaeya saw her reasoning; the girl couldn't go around blowing things up forever, after all. Arson was a crime to most people. Still...
"Isn't the culture good for her, though?" Kaeya mused, standing from his chair and moving towards his window. He pulled the curtain aside a little, trying to see if he really could spot Klee anywhere. "I hear Inazuma has a fantastic firework industry. Maybe she'll consider getting into those rather than bombs, hm?"
It was Jean's turn to huff, placing a hand on her hip. She could only stare at the back of Kaeya’s head with a million curses on the tip of her tongue. "The answer is no, Kaeya. She needs to be taught a lesson."
The most delightful idea then crossed her mind.
"Why don't you take that gentleman that's always coming to find you? What was his name again... Dainsleif?"
Kaeya almost whipped around, but caught himself, head turned just to the side so he could see Jean. A taunt, clear as day, but one that he couldn't deny affected him. He had too thought to invite his knight, yet he wasn't sure where or when he would next find him if at all. His visits were few and far between, these days even more so, and despite Kaeya's clear insistence that he visit more often on the grounds of just missing him by his side, wanting him there for no reason but for his own selfish want-
Dain would not come with him. He couldn't risk turning up alone, knowing nobody upon being let down in such a way. Inazuma was a strange land, one he had yet to see, and whilst his heart ached to take the Twilight Sword along, he couldn't bear the thought of the loneliness he may have to endure should Dainsleif mysteriously change his mind.
Everchanging as the wind, Kaeya thought to himself, almost fondly.
Jean tilted her head, watching the man think. Clearly she'd struck a nerve. "Kaeya?"
Snapping out of his thought, the man in question turned fully. "Let me take Klee. Maybe it'll wear her out a little," he said, reverting the subject. He wasn't that bad at looking after her, was he? Surely not. He was supposed to be like the fun, cool uncle, of course, but he also didn't take chances with her safety where he could.
Kaeya stepped closer to Jean, leaning on the desk that stood in his way. "Please?" He was almost tempted to bat his eyelashes at her.
Jean was just about ready to give up anyway. It was clear that the Captain wasn't about to give up, and she could use the time alone, come to think of it...
"Fine."
Kaeya smiled, all teeth this time around, and sat back down in his chair with a sigh. "I'll bring you back a souvenir," he promised, folding his hands together. "Maybe a little something that fits both you and Lisa. After all, I hear Inazuma has some particularly interesting-"
A blast of anemo hit the Captain before he could continue speaking, knocking him right off of his chair and onto the rug below him with a heavy thud. By the time Kaeya had laughed it off and pulled himself back up, Jean was gone, and he could only imagine the shade her face might have been.