Chapter Text
Today was going well for Aether. He recently finished helping the old couple in Konda Village with their food storage for the week. Leaving some leftovers for Paimon, who was currently munching away to her heart’s content inside the teapot. He was feeling good about himself today!
Until he showed up. Automatically ruining his day.
“Hello again, Traveler… didn’t expect to see you here all the way in Inazuma. What is it that brings you to the ‘Land of Eternity’?” A voice Aether constantly dreads to hear fill his ears, and he groans at the mere sound of it. But he still answers his question. Internally. He’s here because of the test of courage event that just ended. However… it raises a question for Aether, why is he here in Inazuma as well? He decides not to question him about it, too worried about himself at the moment to care. “Tsk, nice to see you, too.” He still doesn’t reply, knowing it would be better for his mental health to not speak with him; even if the owner of the voice is marginally better than who he used to be.
Although, once Aether gets one clear look at his face, he realizes the Wanderer is becoming upset at his lack of response.
“Ugh, listen, I know you don’t like me that much, but I’m still trying to make conversation with you! At least acknowledge my existence. After all, it is always an honor to speak with me!” Wanderer said, with him and all of his boastful ‘glory’. It always bothered Aether, hearing this man constantly act all full of himself, even though they both knew it was fake. But his words were enough to get Aether to turn and look at him in the eyes.
“What do you want, Wanderer?” Aether said, clearly annoyed, his furrowed brows being the clear indicator. However, much as Aether doesn’t like the guy, he knows he should still be courteous. Even if Wanderer’s awful at both conversation and just people in general. He doesn’t want Wanderer to get upset at him, and he knows he should give the guy a chance. Restoring his memories would be worthless if he didn’t.
“Nothing much, I just… I wanted to ask. Have you told the descendants of the Raiden Gokaden the truth yet?” Wanderer asked. It was in a meek tone, one he tends to not have. It… surprised Aether. This was also a question that piqued Aether’s interest. Why would Wanderer want to know? And, to answer Wanderer’s question, no. No, he did not. It was a responsibility that belongs to Wanderer. However, Aether realizes that should’ve told him that truth only now.
Oops… I should take accountability now and apologize while I have this chance. I guess… Aether thought.
Aether shook his head no for his response.
“That is a responsibility belonging to you. Sorry, I should have said no when you initially asked me in the Sanctuary of Surasthana after Nahida and I restored your memories.”
“You only realize this now? It has been a month, you know!” Wanderer was not happy with Aether’s response, and his face showed hints of distress. With his wide eyes and fast but tense hand movements. It was becoming clear to Aether that something had gone on.
“Sorry, sorry. Um… Was there a reason to you wanting to know?”
Wanderer looked to the side a few times for a moment before answering the question, crossing his arms in the process to close himself off. It was like his response would be inappropriate for any innocent bystander’s ears.
“Is something wrong? You look a little uneasy…” Aether asked. How could his question generate such an expression from the usual confident Wanderer? It made Aether himself get concerned.
“I… uh… well I… hmm.” The Wanderer said, stammering and groaning. Seriously, what happened that had elicited such a response!? The uneasiness in his tone, the fact Wanderer is fidgeting. He’s all over the place! What happened!? But then the response finally came. “I… I met Kaedehara Kazuha back in Ritou the other day, and he seemed to have zero idea who I was. So, I wanted to know if you told him yet or not.”
Is he joking? Something like that made Wanderer stutter and make Aether concerned? He has to be joking! With an eye-roll and a groan, Aether turned on his heel and begun his trek to Ritou to talk with Kazuha. Because now he pities Kazuha since he had the misfortune of meeting Wanderer and now wants to see if he is okay. For it is true misery hearing this man talk all high and mighty 24/7, and Kazuha does not deserve such treatment.
“Hey! Traveler! Where are you going!? I’m not done talking to you!”
“Your delayed response to my question made me think the worst thing possible just happened! Only for it to turn out it surprised you at the fact that Kazuha was nice to you! And I’m done talking with you! Have a nice day, Wanderer.” Hopefully, Wanderer got the hint that his response angered Aether and would leave him alone.
But that was wishful thinking. Because now Wanderer turned on his heel and started following Aether.
“Kaedehara being nice to me is the worst possible thing to happen to me because I found that man lovely to be around! Come on Traveler! Imagine if you were me! You, the person who is the reason why a gentleman AND descendent of your best friend, have become a homeless wandering ronin. And now, you meet said descendent, and he makes such a wonderful impression on you that you want to be his friend, but your past is certainly going to screw this friendship up! Come on Traveler! Have sympathy for me here!”
Now that… was an unexpected reply. A reply so unexpected that it forced Aether to stop in his tracks, to look at Wanderer incredulously, and laugh.
“W-wait… pfft haha! Wait, what!? Seriously!? Ohh, how this Wanderer I am looking at has fallen from grace! Haha! Listen, sounds like you need the power of wisdom to assist you in your plight. Go to Nahida. You are her helper, after all. Surely she’ll be able to help you.”
“I would go to Lesser Lord Kusanali if she wasn’t just as bad at human interaction as me! Wisdom is good at everyday troubles, NOT something like this, which is a unique situation! Also stop laughing! I get that it’s embarrassing, but come on! I am being serious.”
Wanderer was right, in an odd sense. Nahida wasn’t the best at understanding humans. She said it herself. Although, Wanderer was wrong about the wisdom aspect. Wisdom exists so people can solve unexpected situations using knowledge and intelligence. But, after looking at Wanderer again, he seemed truly distressed. And it gave Aether a suggestion. One he hopes he doesn’t come to regret. Wanderer said he wanted to be friends with Kazuha. Him wanting to befriend Kazuha may be a good thing for Wanderer. After all, he and Nahida cannot be the only ones he can rely on. However, he still needs to prepare for the worst, in case if it ends badly for both Kazuha and Wanderer. But that plan can come later. Having these two become friends is a much easier plan to come up with than the unfortunate outcome.
“Listen, I am going to Ritou to speak with Kazuha. I suggest you come with since I said it was your responsibility to tell him the truth of the Raiden Gokaden. And hey, if he takes it well, you potentially have yourself a new friend! Besides, me and Nahida cannot be the only ones you rely on.”
“What!? No way am I telling Kaedehara now that I was the cause for the Raiden Gokaden’s downfall!”
No way is this guy seriously putting this off because he’s too scared of Kazuha’s reaction… Although… it is kind of funny. Aether thought. The idea of him putting off an important truth simply because he’s frightened of their potential friendship being ruined was comical in a twisted sense.
“Hm? Didn’t you say the descendents of the Gokaden deserved to know the truth? Is the cocky and fearless Wanderer getting cold feat now after meeting Kaedehara Kazuha?” Aether knows he shouldn’t be teasing him like this, especially when he is in distress like this, but he can’t help it. His reactions are too good not to miss.
“Cease your teasing at once, Traveler! And do not put words into my mouth! I will tell Kaedehara eventually, okay? Maybe after we become friends.” That last part sounded like a recipe for failure.
Oh… he didn’t fall for it. Shame. Aether thought. Oh well, he’ll have more opportunities in the future.
“So, are you coming to Ritou with me or not? I need an answer now and we don’t have all day. For I’d rather not run into some violent Kairagi and Nobushi in the dead of night.”
Although Aether didn’t want to encourage the Wanderer beating around the bush, he still wanted him to be comfortable telling Wanderer the truth. So if beating around the bush makes Wanderer comfortable and willing to let Aether follow through with his plan, then so be it. But Aether will make sure Wanderer reveals the actual past of the Raiden Gokaden’s downfall before it’s too late. He cannot let a friendship bury reality.
“Argh, alright fine! But ONLY because this is of my volition, and because I wish to meet Kaedehara again. Alright! Do I make myself clear?” Wanderer said, tipping his obnoxiously enormous hat down to cover his expression. It reminded Aether of a cat, and a sassy one at that.
“Oh! Before I almost forget. Wanderer, why are you visiting Inazuma?” Aether asks. The question when the two started talking coming back up again. Unwilling to ask it at first because he didn’t want to converse with Wanderer, but now he has no reason not to.
“You didn’t answer mine, so I won’t answer yours, so I have no obligation to tell, nor do I have any inclination to tell you.” He says. Oh well, he’ll find his answer in time, so he won’t pester him.
“Whatever you say, Wanderer, now come on, let’s get moving.” With that, the two make their way to Ritou in hopes of a blooming friendship that surely doesn’t end in flames.
Here goes nothing. Aether thought, a mixture of nervousness and excitement growing in stomach.