Chapter Text
The boat ride to Liyue Harbor is silent apart from the Alcor's slow rocking along the waves. Ayaka has never had the opportunity to experience the feeling of being at the mercy of the ocean, and her curious mind switches to overdrive trying to take it all in. Not that it's much right now. The night sky above Inazuma is clear of roiling clouds and thunder for the first time since the Vision Hunt Decree. Ayaka finds herself enchanted by the multitude of stars she has never seen, rather than the silent ship and the dark void it swims in. She breathes in the salty air, letting it settle her nerves for a moment. She's really doing it. Sometimes she feared the day would never come.
"I'm leaving Inazuma."
Saying it aloud, even if softly, gives Ayaka's decision a heavier weight to it. She's not sure if she loves or hates the raw energy coursing through her. Involuntarily, her eyes drift from the sea to the door of the ship's cabins. As if Lumine is awake at this hour. She has to be exhausted after all that had happened.
"Please, take me with you," Ayaka had begged on her knees, hands pressed together in front of her. "I'm aware that this is rash, and it'll be a lot of trouble to take me, but I ca--"
"Okay."
The flimsy excuses and pleas had died in Ayaka's throat as the approval rang in her ears.
"Lumine," Ayaka says now with her face flushed from more than just the evening chill. "How can she be so... so... bold? So charming?"
Well, perhaps that's just the naive maiden in the heart of a sheltered princess. Though it is quite true that the swiftly made decision was bold. Lumine had gone through extra lengths to hurry their departure. As lovely as it would have been to sleep on dry land and be off in the morning, the risk of Ayaka being discovered was too great. They checked for any sailors awake near some food stalls in Ritou, but they were either not willing to make a night trip or they refused to head in Sumeru's direction due to the electro turmoil still present in the waters. Once they reached Captain Beidou, it was clear that they were never going to see passage to Sumeru any time soon. Even the Crux wasn't going to risk it. Lumine's expression had only shifted briefly at the time, but Ayaka could see in her eyes that the setback took a toll on her.
Their next best option was returning to Liyue Harbor and finding the way by foot. Ayaka doesn't mind, but after seeing the pain and frustration Lumine must've felt, she can't help feeling guilty with herself for being so selfish. Is she way in over her head? Lumine went so far just to entertain Ayaka's silly little wish to see the world with the person she cares for the most. Ayaka isn't all too sure if she's allowed to feel any of the giddiness she does over it.
It doesn't do to worry either way. If Lumine regrets anything, she can't bring Ayaka back easily. Just because the Raiden Shogun isn't running Inazuma straight into its own grave right now doesn't mean one can be as carefree as Barbatos. It would delay Lumine even further if she suddenly changed her mind. Ayaka did inquire about the adventure guild's waypoints in that case.
"They make me feel sick, so I limit my use to emergencies. I just tell the guild to give me every commission they have in the route that I'm going," Lumine had said. She reached into her bag to pull out a stack of flyers that contained a multitude of requests from Inazuma and Liyue. The majority that were from Inazuma were stamped in red 'complete'. Impressive as always. It was no wonder the guild thought of Lumine like some deity.
Not that Ayaka is any better, but she keeps that to herself.
"Now, what are you doing up here all by yourself, little miss?"
The sound of Beidou's voice pulls Ayaka out of her thoughts. She turns away from the ship's side and bows in greeting as the cabin door creaks shut.
"Good evening to you, Captain Beidou. Thank you and each of your crew for the help."
Beidou stares at Ayaka for a second, stunned, then guffaws before leaning on the wood railing beside her. "You don't need to be so polite. It's really no problem. A friend of Lumine is a friend of mine. I wasn't expecting her to elope with the Shirasagi Himegimi herself, though."
Out of instinct, Ayaka raises her hand to her mouth as heat rises to her cheeks. "I don't know if this could be called eloping..."
"Oh?"
Maybe it does look like that on the outside. Lumine is essentially a solo traveler if Paimon isn't in the picture, and Ayaka wouldn't normally be caught dead abandoning her duties as a Kamisato. Ayaka even had to board the ship with her festival mask so that no one may recognize her and spread word that the Shirasagi Himegimi has gone rogue. Why in the world would these two ever travel together?
Actually, why in the world would Lumine want to travel with Ayaka? Ayaka knows her own reasons. What of Lumine's? Ayaka internally shakes her head.
"We are simply friends. Lumine is kind enough to allow me to accompany her on her travels. I haven't had the chance to see the world outside of Inazuma, after all." A polite smile follows those words, but it's met with a smirk.
"I see. That is very kind of her. Well? Did she tell you where she's taking you in Liyue?"
"Umm... No, we haven't gotten to discussing that."
"I thought little royalty like you would have already negotiated that before even agreeing. Feeling bold, princess?"
Ayaka shifts her eyes to the side. "Perhaps I am, captain."
Beidou heartily laughs and claps Ayaka's back. The force of it could've pushed Ayaka off the ship.
"Good, good! I'd say you could use the experience. You don't look like you've even touched a boat before tonight."
"I haven't."
"That's what I'm saying!" Beidou crosses her arms and nods with a self-satisfied smile. "I've decided."
"Huh?" Decided... Decided what? The worry and curiosity stir Ayaka to meet Beidou's eyes again - scarlet like the flames of Natlan.
"I'm inviting you and Lumine to the Crux's banquet being held the day after we lower anchor at Liyue."
Oh, many stories have been told about these banquets. Most are just passing whispers and groans from Liyue merchants, talking about how they regret having to miss something hosted by the one and only Lord of the Ocean. These last for three days and usually feature the cooking of Wanmin Restaurant's pride chef. This is food worth 500,000 mora. Ayaka can't even begin to imagine how extravagant it must all be. It's not as if she can put a price to the festivals in Inazuma for comparison. Particularly large ones wouldn't even get close to 500,000 mora. Maybe it's just exaggeration? Then again, are any of the rumors surrounding Beidou really exaggerating, all things considered?
"Oh, I'll be sure to inform Lumine about it."
"Great! I hope you won't be sick of the sea by the end of the voyage. I'll show you a bit about sailing."
Ayaka smiles genuinely for the first time since coming aboard.
"That would be lovely, captain."