Chapter Text
The sun shines and the sea glitters.. The waves are calm as they carry a fleet of seafolk ships to their destination. Merakia stands in the smaller of the two crow’s nests belonging to Alcor, the famed flagship of the fleet. She stares at the unbroken horizon, searching for the faintest shadow of land.
After a while, long enough that her eyes are starting to ache from the strain, she sighs and sits against the mast. The longer she stays on the ship, the farther she is from the world of her past: her family, her school, her everything. But with only the sun, the stars, and the contract that demands she leave it as her guide, the future seems as far out of her reach as her home is. She’s as a ship in the ocean, floating adrift, with no promise of ever reaching land. Like the ship and its crew, all she can do is look forward and wait for landfall.
“Don’t worry so much, kid.”
A loud voice breaks through her thoughts. Captain Beidou climbs up into the crows nest and leans against the railing.
“I’m not worrying, Captain.”
“Uh huh, and I’m the Blood Emperor.”
Beidou reaches over and pokes Merakia between the eyebrows. “Your face is going to freeze like that, you know.”
“Grandma said that when I was a kid but it never did.”
“Alright, maybe it won’t. But you will have wrinkles by the time you’re thirty if you keep frowning so much.”
“I’m just anxious. Waiting is hard.”
“There’s no lie there.”
“As soon as we can see land, I’ll have Soraha help me with presentability. But until then, I can’t do much.”
“We should be dock---”
“Land-ho!” a sailor cries from the taller mast.
“That’s your cue.”
Merakia stands and smiles. “Thank you, Captain. I’ll try not to let my face freeze.”
“Haha! That’s a good girl. I’ll get you when we dock.”
Merakia climbs to the deck and makes her way to the guest cabin.
Once there, she closes and locks the door before pulling a book from its place on her belt.
She flips it open to the third page. “Soraha, Abyssal handmaiden. Dormoni, Abyssal Guardian. Come to me.”
The words on the page ripple as the stone on its front glows with shadowy light.
Two figures appear behind her.
The scale skinned man bows. “You called us, Lady Merakia?”
“Of course she did, Dormoni,” Soraha rolls her eyes. “You don’t have to be so formal with us.”
Merakia shrugs. “It’s been long enough, a proper summoning is good.”
“We were starting to take bets on whether you’d left us behind while you went and did whatever abyssal mahi do when not on the island.”
“I would never. After all, I don’t think I can get the knots out of my hair without help.”
“What did you do to it, milady? It looks worse than your childhood bedhead.”
“The wind above deck isn’t kind.”
Soraha huffs, pulling a brush and comb out of a bag she has slung across her chest. “Sit still while I take care of this.”
“Yes, Soraha.”
While Soraha starts detangling Merakia’s hair, Dormoni frowns. “Why did you summon me as well? I am not of much use when it comes to dressing a lady.”
“We’ll be in the Crimson Empire before dark. I have a few orders pertaining to your behavior when we arrive.”
Dormoni wrinkles his nose. “Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like these?”
“Likely not, given your fondness for intimidation tactics.”
“That is my job, milady.”
“We’re not having this argument right now. I need you and Soraha to take on the appearance of someone from this plane. The people of the Empire don’t know me and I’d rather make a good first impression.”
“Why? They can’t get rid of you. This contract is older than most of them.”
“That is true, but they can make my life hell.”
“Fine. I don’t like it. No one messes with a woman flanked by an abyssal spirit, but I’ll disguise myself. For now.”
“That’s all I ask. Soraha?”
“I’m fine with it. I’m not going to make your life harder.”
“Thank you.”
Dormoni sighs. “If you don’t need me, I will make my exit. Just call me when you make landfall.”
Dormoni vanishes, leaving Soraha and Merakia.
“Milady?”
“Yes?”
“How would you like me to do your hair?”
Merakia considers the question for a moment. “Pull it out of my face and make it neat. Something nice but not overly formal.”
Soraha sets to work pulling her mistress’s hair into a simple updo. When she finishes, she reaches for Merakia’s luggage. “Which dress?”
“One of the ones in Imperial colors. The asymmetrical one with the single sleeve.”
“Not Mahynite colors? You’re from Mahyn after all.”
“Perhaps I am, but I am the Empire’s mahi now, not the fourth-ranked child of the Mahyn Household. It’s best I show it.”
“I see. It’s not bad reasoning. I still think it would do just fine to display where you came from.”
“Ah, but I am. The fabric is spun and sewn by the city’s weavers and seamstresses. Each piece of jewelry is handcrafted by mahynite jewelers. I radiate maha in a way that only a mahynite or the most powerful of foreign mahi can.
“But if you’re so worried, why don’t you pull out the ear cuffs with coral inlay. It’s got a shield spell worked in, which should satisfy Dormoni, and it’s clearly of Mahynite design.”
Soraha smiles. “That will work. You shouldn’t lose who you are at the whim of a contract.”
“But a contract is all. It always has been all.”
“Mhmm. I don’t think you’d listen if I argued. Stand up and let me get you dressed.”
When the time comes, Merakia Mahyn, Daughter of the Grand Mahyn steps onto the gangplank, flanked by her handmaiden and guardian.
They make their way to where Beidou stands.
Merakia lays one hand over the other, arms held out at 90 degrees, then bows so that her head and hands are even with each other. The bow is formal and Mahynite to the core. “On behalf of myself and my father, I thank you, Captain Beidou. When you next dock at Mahyn, please give my father word of my safe arrival.”
“I will. Good luck, kid.”
Prince Kaeya of the Crimson Court stands at the head of the court’s welcoming delegation, watching as a young woman bows to Beidou.
His gaze drifts from her to the man and woman flanking her. He raises his eyebrows. Even from a distance, the two are distinctly other . Though they seem to have made attempts to blend in, both are too still, with features too sharp to be from their world. Despite the frost covering his fingers in response to the pair’s presence, Kaeya’s lips curl into a smile. Interesting.
“Prince Kaeya?” One of his guards addresses him, noting the glint in Kaeya’s eye with trepidation. “What are you…?”
“Don’t worry about it, Noshi. It seems our newest court member has an interesting gift, is all.”
Noshi blanches. Things that his prince considers interesting tend to range from unpredictable to dangerous. It keeps him and Kaeya’s other subordinates on their toes.
The woman turns away from Beidou and approaches the court delegation. She dips into a slight curtsy.
Just enough to show respect, without showing submission. Not bad.
While he appraises her, Kaeya gives the air a subtle sniff. Her scent is so faint as to be nearly unidentifiable and yet his inner alpha still perks its head in interest. Interesting omega. Pay attention to the lady omega.
Kaeya mentally shoves at it. Shut it, rocks for brains. If she’s actually an omega, there’s no way she’s presented yet.
Hmph. Kaeya’s alpha curls up and goes quiet.
“I am Merakia Mahyn, Fourth-ranked Daughter of the Grand Mahyn, presenting myself as per the contract signed by Morax and Kiana the Great.”
“Welcome to the Crimson Empire, Lady Merakia. I’m Kaeya Hemo-Alberich, First Prince of the Empire. The Crown Princess would be here to welcome you, but she wasn’t able to get away from her duties.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. Dormoni, Soraha, I am in the Prince’s hands now. You are dismissed.”
The female nods, vanishing.
The male servant glares at his mistress. “Pardon me, Lady Merakia, but it is my duty to guard you. It’s clearly stated in our contract.”
“It’s also clearly stated that it is up to me to decide at which times your guardianship is necessary. You serve at my will. When, where, and how is my call. Don’t forget that, Dormoni of the Abyss. You may come to me when we reach the palace. I will need your services then.”
“You make my life hard, milady, but I will do as you will.”
“Good. I’ll see you at the palace.”
Dormoni disappears.
Merakia turns back to Kaeya. “I apologize for the delay. Dormoni can be a little overzealous.”
“That seems to be an understatement. How should I address you?”
“My rank is equivalent to yours--at least according to Mahynite protocol books--but in practice, the formal address for members of Mahyn family is Lord or Lady.”
“I see.” Kaeya gestures to the carriage. “Well then, after you, milady.”
When they’re both settled and the delegation is moving, Kaeya offers Merakia a smile. “So what is the gift of the Mahyn family’s abyssal mage?”
“Something tells me you’ve already figured it out yourself.”
“Oh? How do you figure?”
Merakia smiles. “I saw the looks you were giving Soraha and Dormoni.”
Kaeya looks from her face to the hand protectively covering the book at her waist.
“I have an idea, but I’d like to hear it from you.”
“I make contracts with spirits.”
Kaeya nods, having confirmed his initial suspicions, before probing deeper. “Only abyssal spirits?”
“No. I can summon from the abyss, from the upper realm, as well as middle path and the upper path spirits that reside on the mortal plane. If a spirit answers my call, I can make contracts with them.”
“I see. Starting this evening, don’t wear anything showing your new position in our Court. For now, as far as the court is concerned, your family simply sent you to improve relations between the two families.”
“Can I ask why?”
“I’ll explain after I speak to Jean.”
“Alright. I’ll do as you say.”
“Good girl.”
Merakia turns her head to look out the window. The streets are filled with a mixture of Vampires, Fae, Shifters, and Humans. Though the former two are far more common than the latter, all four are common enough to be notable.
“Different?” Kaeya asks, drawing her attention back to him.
“Mahyn is smaller and has an aura of power. Because only mahi and their un-Powered relatives can live on Mahyn, everything is touched with maha.”
“I remember that much. It was rather interesting. Though the rules regarding un-Powered families are a little harsh.”
“It has been that way since Mahyn Island’s creation. It is a palace for mahi to study, learn, and live without being beholden to a world that is so often in conflict.
“No. Mahyn island is the Isle of Mahi and it should stay that way. Though I supposed it is no longer my place to say. Not anymore.”
Kaeya notes the myriad of emotions that dart across her face and mentally nods his approval when she immediately tucks them away. Strong, competent. Self possessed. I really need to talk to Jean about her.
The carriage soon comes to a stop in front of the Crimson Palace.
Kaeya steps down first, offering his hand to Merakia.
She takes it, letting him steady her as she exits the vehicle.
As soon as her feet touch the gravel, Dormoni appears by her side.
“Prompt as always, Dormoni.”
“Thank you! So this is the Crimson Palace?”
Merakia gives the palace a thorough once over. The whitewashed stone walls are topped with scarlet roofs and every metal ornament is wrought of the purest blood iron.
“They really took the ‘crimson’ part to heart.”
“Perhaps they felt the need to declare their vampirism?”
“Why? Everyone knows the Imperial family is a vampire clan.”
Dormoni shrugs. “Don’t ask me. I’m not even from the middle plane.”
“Speaking of,” Merakia says, eyeing Dormoni’s ink black eyes. “Why are you not using a fully human face?”
“It’s intimidating. I’ll keep the rest of my appearance as human as possible, but give me this, milady.”
Merakia rubs the bridge of her nose and mentally counts backwards from ten, but decides fighting him is not in her best interests.“Very well. Please do not intimidate everyone you see. Prince Kaeya wants me to blend in some.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Kaeya clears his throat, effectively ending Merakia and Dormoni's conversation. “The crown princess approaches.”
Dormoni takes his place behind Merakia and fades into the background.
Merakia faces the princess, straightening her dress and making sure her vision is in plain sight. By all definitions she’s the picture perfect mahi.
The crown princess smiles at the young mahi. “Welcome, Lady Mahi. I hope the Grand Mahyn is in good health.”
Merakia curtsies and bows her head in greeting. “I’m afraid he’s been better. Father is aging and not aging well. The winter months near the Great Ice were very hard on him.”
The princess nods. “I am sorry to hear that.”
“The mahi doctors take good care of him. Barring sudden injury or sickness, he’ll live a perfectly long life. Just not as comfortably as we’d wish.”
“I see. Thank you for coming. It can’t have been easy leaving your homeland.”
“I am simply fulfilling the contract.”
“Still. You do us a great service. What is your name?”
“Merakia Mahyn.”
“I’m Jean, the Crown Princess. We can talk more at dinner. I’m sure you’re tired and would like to clean up and change.”
“Please! The ocean is very nice but the salt is not good for the hair.”
The two women smile at each other.
“Aki,” Jean beckons a servant forward, “take the Lady Mahi to her rooms.”
Merakia follows the servant into the building.
As the door closes behind Merakia, Jean addresses Kaeya. “What do you think?”
“She’d be wasted as a court Mahi.”
“Speak plainly, Kaeya. We don’t have time to mince words.”
“I am. She’s intelligent, with notable mental fortitude, and can make contracts with spirits of all varieties. Rather than assigning her to someone in the Upper Court, give her to us in the Council of Shadows. She is uniquely suited to it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. She’ll be working at the same level as Diluc, Cyno, and I.”
“Very well. I will leave her in your hands but you are responsible for getting her settled. ”
“Of course. Thank you, Jean..”
“You’re welcome. I would stay and continue talking, but I have a meeting soon.”
Kaeya snorts at the long suffering expression on his younger sister’s face. “Have fun with that. I’ll see you at dinner.”
“I’ll see you at dinner.”