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In Petrichor, the Blue Dewdrop is a symbol of a beautiful eternity. This shrub can rarely be seen outside of Fontaine, yet the large shrub’s intrigue reached the elegance that is Yae Miko. Unsurprisingly, the Guuji stumbled upon this shrub by cycling through light novels imported from the region – ending up taking with her a journal dedicated to cataloging Fontaine’s numerous flowers and plants.
She wasn’t unfamiliar or unamused with flora. In fact, she was rather knowledgeable of all the flowers and shrubs decorating the pale purple landscape of her dear nation. She takes tender walks through Mt. Yougou, after business meetings with the Yashiro Commission girl. She’s familiar with the Melancholy, the dewgrass which colors the surfaces in a faint luminescent glow. Frequently, her robe brushes against the dewgrass, and she can only feel, well, melancholic – suddenly missing her counterpart. She laughs to herself and makes a mental note to waltz into the Tenshukaku for a ‘personal’ meeting. Perhaps she can steal her away for a stroll around the city.
On this particular walk, however, her mind lingers on this Blue Dewdrop. How a shrub so unassuming, so small and insignificant can strike the hearts of Fontainians so fondly to the point of honest commemoration – surprised her. What’s more is, it acts as a symbol of beautiful eternity.
She wondered long and hard on humans and their ability to draw the most sentimental of connections with meager objects. If humans are able to connect resilience and plants with eternity, was this any different to Inazumans and their Archon?
Ei has certainly expended incredible power and resilience just to protect what she loved most. She views her duty to the nation as something needing to be done, going so far as to put her conscience into a sword and create a puppet body for Eternity. Miko can do nothing but utterly adore her, no matter how stubborn and highly focused the girl is.
She continued pondering as she continued her walk to the city. And yet, no matter what she thought, she concluded with a simple acceptance: it mattered not how wonderful the symbol the Blue Dewdrop brings, it rivals not the beautiful eternity Ei pushes herself to make real.
Perhaps if she were to mention this to Ei, the strange girl would certainly be interested in talks of importing this unassuming brush to Inazuma. With this in mind, she made her way to the Tenshukaku, albeit a bit ticked off that her well-meaning god was too busy nowadays to visit her.
When she got to the grand gates of the Tenshukaku, the guards hurriedly stepped aside, not daring to speak up against the beloved of the Shogun. She finally reached Ei’s quarters and walked straight in, not even attempting to knock on the door.
She was greeted by the view of the top of Ei’s head stuck in work. The Archon sat at her desk, as she quietly read over the recent disturbances submitted by the Tri-Commissions. Her chin rested on her palm, while she held a pen in her other hand in case she had to sign off on any agreements.
Miko’s heels clicked against the wooden boards of the floor. The sound itself made Ei rapidly sign off on something before excitedly raising her head to meet Miko’s eyes. She knew exactly who stepped in – Ei would never let anyone other than the Kitsune Guuji come in unannounced.
“What brings you here, my dear Miko?” Ei’s chin still rested on her palm, but a smile adorned her lips as she set her gaze on the beauty before her.
“Hm, I say, you must have a lot of nerve calling me “dear”,” Miko teased, yet she spoke truthfully – she was annoyed that Ei spent so little time with her. “Shall I remind you that we have not seen each other in a little over a week? I’m deeply hurt, Ei.”
“My, has it really been that long, Miko?,” Ei jolted, placing her palm on her forehead shaking her head in disbelief, “I really, truly apologize, my dear fox. How can I make this up to you?”
Miko’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, she finally got what she wanted, “Well, I’ve recently been interested in taking a stroll around the city, if that is to your liking.”
“It seems as though my work is through for the day,” Ei quickly stood up and walked over to where Miko stood, taking her hand in hers and leading her out the door. “Come, Miko, I wish to not waste any more time.”
“How hasty you are again, my god. Although, I am rather amused by your excitement. So, you will make up for refusing to visit me then?” Miko chided, gladly letting herself be led by the girl she so missed.
The two took a long stroll around the city, gazing up at the sky and the birds that flew by. Miko carefully discussed the description of the Blue Dewdrop to Ei, whose eyes sparked with interest, something of which Miko greatly treasured seeing every now and then. The two after indulging in the delicious food, ended up once again at the forest they frequent whenever the two get the chance.
Miko sits with her back laying against the trunk of the sakura trees Ei so deeply loves. Ei rests her body against Miko, her head tucked nicely in Miko’s neck as she gazes up, watching the Sakura petals fall.
“My, your bangs have grown quite long haven’t they, Ei?” Miko says brushing her hands through purple locks, playing with the hair in front of Ei’s eyes, pinching it between her fingers in silent adoration.
Ei looks up at Miko from her comfortable position, only now noticing that her hair has grown to cover her eyes. “Hm, I hadn’t noticed that, perhaps I’m overdue for a haircut, Miko.” Ei smiled to herself, remembering times when the fox would painstakingly brush and cut her bangs to ensure they were even.
“This is what happens when you forget to see me. Your appearance, though eternally beautiful, needs constant care, my god. I’ll free my schedule tonight, you require my attention more than my publishers.” Miko strokes Ei’s cheek as they continue to rest, placing her other hand against Ei’s stomach.
Ei hums lightly in agreement, “Perhaps I shall take you up on that offer, Miko. Inazuma can’t have an Archon who presents herself with anything less than elegance.”
“My dear Ei, you could never look anything less than handsomely beautiful to me.” Miko sighed, relishing in the quiet comfort Ei brings.
Ei blushes quickly, and hides her face in the crook of Miko’s neck. “Miko, the Blue Dewdrop’s beauty pales in comparison to you,” She mutters softly yet sternly, “That is to say, I believe you are a beautiful eternity I wish to remain in.”
The words that fill the silence between them flow with love and everlasting comfort. The two continue to rest for a few more hours under the Sakura trees. Miko continues relaying her experiences from the past centuries, Ei carefully listens, stroking Miko’s ears with fondness. Ei then talks of her recent experiences of the modern Inazuma as Miko held her hands, stroking the backs with her thumbs, never taking her eyes off of the girl before her. The two forget all about the roles they have to their nation, enjoying each other's company is more important, Inazuma will stand strong regardless.
For them, the symbol of beautiful eternity they seek is not from the far-away land of Fontaine, but in a moonlit forest secluded from the rest of the world.