Chapter Text
Kokomi was never someone who could hold onto time.
She would always try her hardest to, but as the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island, it’s a feat that she’s been able to keep track of time at all. It seems to slip through her fingers like the sand near Mouun Shrine, once there but gone in the blink of an eye.
Between the countless meetings over military funding, supplying the common folk with ample housing, and discussing trade relations with the other islands, it’s a miracle her brain hasn't gushed out her ears from the amount of work.
It's an even bigger feat that she hasn't collapsed, up working more hours than not.
Well, collapsed publicly that is. The moment she retreats to her quarters, usually in the dead of night after finishing up a mountainous load of legal documents, she hits her bed and conks out in an instant.
It wasn’t always this bad. Sure, she was often busy more times than not anyway, but with the recent reopening of Inazumas borders it seems that every step she takes something is begging for her attention. Attention that she is giving five other things at any point.
If any of the shrine maidens asked, she was due for a vacation.
Too bad Divine Priestesses aren't allowed to take vacations, unless she wished for the demise of her people.
---
Today was like every other day she’s experienced for the last week and a half. Though, the knock on her door is definitely a new wrench in her schedule.
Kokomi sighs, combing through her hair with her fingers.
“Your excellency, may I come in?” Her second in command, Gorou, speaks from the door. His tone is elevated, as if worried about something.
What could it possibly be, at this hour? She considers her options, loosening the crumples from her everyday style in the process.
Ultimately, she concedes. “You may.”
Gorou enters her quarters with a creak of the door, shutting it gently behind him.
He stands in front of it, holding his clipboard close to his chest. His movement is stiff, as if a single jolt of motion would disturb the essence residing in the room.
“Thank you, your excellency.” He clears his throat. “I come to you with news.”
Gorou adjusts his clipboard, flipping through the pages.
“The Corp of Thirty has written a letter to you directly, requesting your presence in Sumeru to discuss trade between our nations.”
Kokomi presses her hand into her cheek, furrowing her brow. “Why wouldn’t they request a meeting with the Tri-Commission?”
The general sighs. “I asked the same question, but the only answer I got was about the Akademiya. They wish to discuss the ancient texts of Watatsumi.”
Well, that would explain it. Consider her interest piqued.
Gorou flips to another paper. “Since your schedule is filled to the brim, I’ve come up with two options.” He starts, tone bordering on pride. “One, you write a letter directly to the Akademiya to discuss– well, whatever they want. Or two, I'll go in your stead– I know I’m not the most knowledgeable on this sort of stuff, but surely I could learn before–.”
Bumping into his rambling, she asks “When did they want to meet?”
“As soon as possible—wait.” Gorou picks his head up. “You’re not seriously considering going, are you?”
“Well, considering we need to keep our relations with other nations as positive as possible, I don’t see how it could hurt.” She smiles.
Talk of Watatsumi’s mysteries reaching far outside of Inazuma? Of course she’s interested! Just what else from her home, the tales of the past that are often overshadowed or hidden away from prying eyes, has traveled the seas of Teyvat?
Besides, a little fresh air never hurt anybody, right?
Gorou frowns. “Your excellency, I don’t mean to be disapproving, but… Are you sure? I could always come with you!” His attitude spilling with concern, if the tail swishing behind him was anything to go by.
Kokomi ushers him over to where she sat on her bed.
He complies, sitting right on the edge.
Gorou fidgets in place, tapping his claws against the clipboard. “Look, your excellency, I just don’t think it’s a good idea— I mean, a trip by yourself to a foreign nation? Just think about what could happen! If it’s really that big of a deal I could appoint some of my men to escort you–!”
She gives him a pitiful smile. Always the worrier. “As much as you would like to come with me, you know better than anyone that if the both of us left Watatsumi island, it’d collapse in on itself by daylight.”
She shifts, leaning back on her hands. “Plus, when I leave, you're going to need all of the hands you can get.”
Gorou blinks,his eyebrows scrunching. “But I could appoint Koyama! He’s very good at multitasking, surely–”
“Gorou.”
“O-or– We could try to reschedule! Yes that’ll work–I’ll start on the letter immediately–!”
“Gorou.” She gives him a smile, tucking his hand between both of her palms.
The general pauses in his tracks, though the train has already chugged on ahead.
“You worry way too much for your size.”
He flounders, ears perking up in defense. “Wha—?! What does that even mean!?”
Kokomi lets her giggles bubble in her chest. “What I'm saying is, there is no need to come with me.”
“But–!”
“And,” She starts, immediately quieting the man. “There is no need to reschedule, for this is now at the top of my priority.”
He goes to speak, but stays silent.
“I’ll be perfectly fine on my own.” She says, a faint smile plays on her features. “I feel like you often forget I'm a general too.”
“Wait– Well, no—but,” His eyes jolted around the room, as if looking for the right thing to say.
“What if something happens to you?” He lands on. His tone has softened out in the process.
Kokomi swallows the lump building in her throat.
She’s not an idiot. She knows what he’s implying. I mean, a figure as high authority as she, traveling to a foreign nation by herself to discuss what? The authenticity of these texts? Was this truly the wisest decision a Divine Priestess could make?
Was the stress really getting to her head this badly to make her look for an out, even if said out could lead to her demise if she went in carelessly?
Or, was this her subconscious giving her an opportunity?
She squeezes his hand, a hearty attempt at comfort. “I’ll be as cautious as I can.”
Gorou looks at her for a moment, trying his hardest to see through her.
After a moment, he lets go of a breath, shaky and dry. “If that is your final decision, then as your second in command, I cannot interfere and will not try to convince you.”
Kokomi leans in quickly, pressing her forehead to his. He tenses.
She looks him in the eyes. Though the angle is awkward, he stares back. “Thank you for trusting me, General.”
“Always.” He says. “Though, as your best friend, I do request you write frequently. A trip to Sumeru to and from will take you two months at the very least.”
Kokomi huffs a laugh. “Wouldn't expect anything less from the worrywart general.”
Gorou’s tail flicks at that. “I’ll write as often as I can… Only if you write back on daily life here.”
“I will.” He says without a moment of doubt.
He speaks up. “Though, I do have a question now that your mind's made up… If you'll allow me to ask, that is.”
Kokomi hums. “You may.”
“How exactly are you planning on telling the shrine maidens?”
---
Needless to say, Kokomi was on a boat to Port Ormos by the time they found out through Gorou.
Sailing with the help of one of Borou Villages’ best navigators (proclaimed by Gorou, self-proclaimed by the man in question.) She couldnt be happier to smell the saltiness in the air of the Inazuman sea.
Port Ormos, she wonders, staring off into the open waters. I wonder if it’s anything like Ritou…