Chapter Text
The Sumeru Akademiya is often described as the perfect location for scholarly studies, filled with no small numbers of researchers from all six darshans, dedicating their time to any topic a brilliant mind could imagine. It is difficult to find one’s field of interest unattended to. Usually.
The two companions that found themselves on a cramped Wavefinder were exceptions to that statement, with one of them leading a hands-on investigation of the rumored Fontaine curse, and the other (after months of persuasion and compromise) attending an internship for child counseling at the local orphanage, the Hotel Bouffes d'ete.
The breezy air of Port Ormos is a welcoming change after days of overwhelming desert heat. The sight of Fontaine approached two travelers as a surge of chilly wind blew away what remains of the morning dew.
“Wanderer.” One of the two travelers mumbles, lazily draped across the side of the Wavefinder. No response.
“Hat guy.”
“Wan-wan.”
“T–”
“-- What do you want?” Her traveling companion shot her an irritated look, his narrowed eyes and crossed arms portraying a menacing sight.
“Be honest. Is this a bad idea?” The traveler tries using a nonchalant tone, but fails short as her voice trembles. Sitting on her lap is a well-worn folder with pages upon pages of notes and doodles, and if one looks closely, they might even make out the words “psychology”, “youth behavior”, and “therapy” being scribbled across the cover.
“You’re only asking this now after months of applying for both the Acting Grand Sage’s permission and project fund?” The other person only frowns, arms crossed in disapproval,” We didn’t travel all the way out here for you to chicken out.”
“Well, I’m the one that has to deal with the consequences of my own ideas, and possibly being mauled to death by a mountain of children. You’re just here to lead an investigation on those…” Wanderer only stares as she struggles, “...Legends, ancient texts, oceanid things.”
“How remarkable. I am humbled.” He deadpans.
“Well, thank you for the acknowledgement!” She retorts, “This is Fontaine we’re talking about. Not even in good ol’ Sumeru is psychology a broad topic. I doubt these caretakers at the orphanage have the slightest idea of what I’m rambling on about.”
“Your fault for picking this subject.” The Wanderer closes his eyes in an attempt to tune out the continuous babbles of his companion.
With that conversation coming to a halt, the traveler resumes staring out into the open sea, her hands nervously playing with the ends of her scarf.
“...I’m a little nervous.” With a sigh, she quietly admits.
“...I know.”
“Well, it could always be worse. I could be spiraling into disastrous thoughts and having a panic attack right now,” The Traveler shrugs, pulling out a kamera to point at the approaching sight of the Court of Fontaine, “We should grab some cake to celebrate.”
The Wanderer only scoffs as the small boat reaches their destination.
“My treat.”
“To dessert? What am I possibly going to enjoy, watching you eat?”
“It would be my pleasure!”
“...”
Fontaine dessert turns out to have lived up to its fame, as the two huddle around a small restaurant table, with Wanderer looking out to passing pedestrians, occasionally sparing a few glances towards his companion who is humming and chowing down a piece of cake.
“Wanderer.”
“Calliope.”
“Do you want a bite, just to try?”
“No. It’s fine.”
“Are you really sure?”
“Save your project funds somewhere useful.” Wanderer ignores his companion’s defeated sigh and instead stares out towards the general direction of a few living quarters. Seemingly debating to himself, he eventually let out a heavy exhale, a habit that he has picked up throughout the years.
“Have you familiarized yourself with the directions?”
“Hmm? Oh, you mean to the orphanage? Well, yeah.” Calliope is taken aback by his sudden question, her fork lazily stirring around the almost-empty plate,”Same answer as last week, by the way.”
“Oh, pardon me for nagging you,” the Wanderer let out a dry chuckle, “Look, this isn’t Sumeru city. You go in, do whatever you have to do, and come back every day before midnight. Any later and I will drag you back myself. No negotiation.”
“Aye aye, fairy godmother,” Calliope waves her fork in response, and frowns as an afterthought,”You don’t have to worry about me though. You have your own project to due with, having to submerge yourself into ocean studies, literally,”
“...”
“And, I can take care of myself.” She said proudly, pointing to a vision currently resting on her wristband.
“Yeah. So trustworthy, with a vision that you got three months ago.” “Four!”
Wanderer can still remember the day like yesterday, when his loud roommate bursts into the sleeping quarters, a gray glass orb in hand; and how after some tinkering and investigation, her eyes light up upon resonating with a nearby statue of the seven. She could not stop gushing about it for weeks, her constant babble a thorn in his side.
“Just–” Trying to clear his head from reminiscing, the Wanderer is about to retort when a high-pitched shriek from his companion causes him to flinch.
“No, I’m gonna be late! Okay, calm down... calm down. I have to go now. Take my luggage to whatever address this–”
“Wh–”
“Yeah, okay. File, check. Application, check…” A ruckus is brought on by her frantic ruffling, even grabbing the attention of a few nearby pedestrians.
“...Just go.” Pulling the bags of luggage closer to himself, the Wanderer shoos his companion towards the general direction of the Hotel Bouffes d'ete. Archons, help this idiot of a person.
“Thank you! I’ll learn to make that tea you like someday, you just wait.” Making a show to cross one hand over her heart, Calliope hopes her expression spells sincerity.
“... Bullshit and you know it.” The traveler pouts, as her friend hesitantly taps her on the arm, “Just… Don’t cause a stir. The House of the Hearth is more complicated than what you might see on the surface.”
“Sure, but I still think you read too many conspiracy theories.” Calliope somberly announces, remembering the pile of Inazuma light novels that used to pile up in their sleeping quarters.
“And don’t poke your nose where you shouldn’t.” Something in his tone makes it sound like he knew of something behind the scene, and Calliope wonders if he means something more than what they already know.
Ah, well, question for another day. As the woman waves her companion goodbye, she enthusiastically exclaims, “Aye, aye, sir. I won’t!”
…A promise that will very soon fail.