🌸 you will always be inside my heart

[mistsplitter]

WHO: Kamisato Ayaka and Cloud Strife
WHAT: Canon update talk
WHEN: Early March
WHERE: A cafe in Blossomcrown
WARNINGS: Nothing crazy!

[ Time has passed yet again for Ayaka, disappearing from Ellipsa for a good few days. She was back in Teyvat, but months had passed. Months, where admittedly, quite a lot has happened! And yet, those weeks that passed by were ones where she had no recollection of Ellipsa nor the world she was previously pulled into. No memories of her friends here, or her loved ones. So much so that finding herself in this realm again... it weighs a little in her heart.

She had hoped that she would be able to remember the people's met here, as well as the promises she's made under the vast sea of stars that are part of the collective universe. It just makes her believe that there is much more to be done here, that she can't get complacent, and she must push for researchers and scientists to find a way for memories made to be remembered when they go to other worlds.

It took some time, but with the help of a researcher, she managed to contact Cloud. Her own phone isn't on her person upon getting back— just her clothes which she wore in Fontaine, her Vison, and her sword. A reunion was had upon seeing Cloud again, any celebrations she wishes to share with him put on hold as she placates any worries he may have had by her having disappeared. Anything else, they'll talk about once they're seated somewhere.

It's what brings them to a nice little cafe in Blossomcrown, hidden away in the botanical gardens. It's quiet here, and they're surrounded by beautiful flowers and trees, which does add to the ambiance. Rather than sit in front of one another though, Ayaka has set her chair right next to him. While they wait for their tea and their snacks, Ayaka fills him in on what has happened. ]

Cloud, [ She squeezes his hand. Not once upon seeing him again has she let go. ] I know this might sound crazy, but I traveled to another nation!

[ It truly is unbelievable news! Even upon saying it out loud, it's as if she can't believe it herself! ]

Comments

[sultanofsquat]

[ Hanging from her every word since they both returned from the research center, there's a more genuine curiosity and gleam in his eyes now that the two of them have finally had the chance to settle down. The only reason, despite the weighted feeling in his chest, he was able to hold fast to the belief that she would come back was how he held her charm upon his phone. The camelia never wilted, a symbol of perseverance that would keep him waking up the next morning prepared for that fated message that she was back.

Sure enough, much to the reprieve of the Kamisato Clan and extended members, it was when the research facility contacted him directly and he heard Ayaka's voice on the other side that any fleeting doubts in his heart were lifted. It hardly mattered the time of day. Night. He was wide awake without a single ounce of fatigue to be found, as if just knowing that he was going to be reunited with her would spring him back to life. He brings her phone, and upon seeing one another again, it's like the stars aligned all over again and he was back on track.

His wish to make come true for them both was no longer derailed when she was in his life. ]

Wait a minute, [ A small beat. ] Seriously?

[ He has yet to set foot in Teyvat, but even Cloud knows the importance of this. For the Shirasagi Himegimi to actually be given the time to travel. Not just across Inazuma, but... ]

Where'd you go?

[ Cloud's hold of her hand in his is resolute, engaged in her as this was her story to tell. It's a good thing he's always been better as a listener. ]

[mistsplitter]

Ayato, Yoimiya, and I went to Fontaine!

[ Her eyes are alight with excitement, and it's as if she's asking him "Can you believe it?!" with how she's looking at him. Though she might not know how much of Fontaine he knows from the other people here... She hasn't had much opportunity to share anything with Cloud about Fontaine yet, since she does not know much about the nation, either.

But she does look down at her own outfit, then back at Cloud. ]

"The Case Files of Miss Orith" was the inspiration for my attire now. This was made for one of the tournaments in Inazuma, but it is a light novel that originates from Fontaine.

It is the land of the Hydro Archon. While Inazuma is the nation of Eternity because of the Electro Archon, Fontaine is the land of Justice, so to speak.

[sultanofsquat]

[ Fontaine?! ...Wait. Even though he hasn't heard of this nation yet, he could have sworn that Liyue was just across the ocean from her. So did that mean they traveled even farther? He's clinging to every word, his curiosity sparked. Though...a lot of it may have to do with the fact that for now, her beau simply has to live vicariously through here until they figured out a way for him to make it there after all.

Seeing her look down at her own outfit, she places things into perspective as to the fashion change. ...a fashion change that, actually? Fits her very well. ]

So that's Fontaine's fashion sense? [ Said without an ounce of judgment. ] Far cry from what we've been used to in Nippon, let alone Inazuma.

[ First comes the tea! They're not in a teahouse so it doesn't come as a set for the younger Kamisato to conduct an abridged ceremony, but he knows better than to touch a single piece of what's presented to them. Cups, teapot; this is her thing. ]

The land of Justice... You spend enough time there to learn why?

[mistsplitter]

It really is very different, isn't it? Most Fontainian women wear hats when they are outside, as well. It's a very cute accessory, if I do say so myself!

[ She must always watch out for when it's windy, though. Her hat must! Stay! On! Or else she isn't a proper lady... ]

It is a rather long story. I'm afraid I might not be able to properly explain it. I could try, however, if you don't mind...

[ There just might be a lot of holes in the story. Ayato would be better off telling him, but she doesn't think Ayato knows anything about what happened in Fontaine just yet. As far as she knows, he hasn't gone home to continue his story with the Ayaka of his world.

For now, she serves Cloud a piece of wagashi on his plate. Something to keep him busy while she pours tea for him, and then for her. ]

i missed this . . .

[sultanofsquat]

Well, [ A light shrug. ] consider me not surprised. You can take any fashion style and make it look good on you.

[ There's still so much left for Cloud to do...but he still is holding fast and true to his promise to her. To where he wants to be at the end of his journey, in his heart of hearts. Listening to her spill about traveling as she did, and how different Fontaine sounds from every other region he's been introduced to via hearsay... He's kind of starting to feel jealous. A lot of the collective world of Gaia wasn't so diverse, save for Midgar feeling like its own world entirely and Wutai in its own corner.

Teyvat sounds so...varied. ]

Try me. [ He hums his thanks when she provides for him a piece of wagashi, offering an instinctual bow by now whilst she preps pouring tea for him and herself. ] I'll keep the questions to a minimal, if that helps.

[ No drilling her over tidbits she wasn't sure of herself. Ayaka could weave a tale about Fontaine any way she liked and he'd hang to every word. Always a good listener, this one. ]

[mistsplitter]

No, you mustn't— [ Cloud!! You must ask her ALL the questions!! She shakes her head in response to that. ] I would like for you to interject whenever you feel necessary. I do not wish to make things confusing for you, after all. And I wish to share with you as much as I can.

[ So she'll do her best, Cloud! She wasn't able to take you with her on this journey, but she wishes to paint a nice picture for him. Everything she does will always have to be her best if it means he's listening, if it means he's at the end of it all.

With tea served though, Ayaka settles back down. She watches Cloud for a moment before looking back at everything she's experienced. ]

I've never mentioned it before, but when I was a child, there was someone who snuck into the estate while I was playing by myself. She was also around my age, and she accompanied me and we played together until the guards caught her trespassing and sent her away.

We never saw each other again after that. Not in that capacity, anyway, but we did come across each other every now and then at special occasions, or when I would have audiences with the public.

[ If Cloud doesn't have any questions, she'll continue! She'll talk a bit about the Sakoku Decree and how her friend, whom she finally reveals to be named Chiori, escaped from Inazuma and moved to Fontaine. Ayaka hasn't seen her in years until she sent a letter to the Yashiro Commission a month prior, inviting them to participate in a film festival.

Exciting!!! ]

[sultanofsquat]

[ Ayaka will find no "fight" from her beau when it came to her vehemently requesting that he interject and question her along the way. Guess he'll be no stranger to getting hit with this once he reaches Kalm back home. Instead, his fleeting surprise as he blinks wider-eyed ebbs away into the same tempered, relaxed disposition he'd carried into the cafe with her as he breathes through his nose and nods. ]

Okay.

[ Go ahead, Ayaka! But...then she starts from her childhood. Little pieces of Kamisato history that he doesn't get much time to listen to as compared to living in the present day and onward as they do now. So despite the fact that Ayaka was leading into discussing Fontaine, he's intrigued and piqued by her talking about another friend, his hands wrap around his cup as he raises it to his lips, watching her from behind it with softened mako blues as he sips. ]

She ever get allowed back in?

[ "We never saw each other again after that." ]

[ Hanging from her every word, before Ayaka can touch upon the film festival apropos, he does interject! ]

So what'd Chiori move on to do then?

[ Once she came to Fontaine. Upon revealing the film festival, he files it away only momentarily. He wants to glean how it was for her brother and one of her best friends, too. They mattered to her; and as keen as he was on listening and hearing about what Ayaka was up to? He knows that he'll content himself in listening to her talk about those most precious to her as he sips his tea with a faint smile lingering on his lips. ]

This the first time your brother stepped foot outside of Inazuma? [ A beat. ] And Yoimiya?

[mistsplitter]

Chiori can come back to Inazuma if she wishes, but I don't think she wants to anymore.

[ She fought hard to have a good life in Fontaine, after all! She's such a tough girl. ]

She became a fashion designer in Fontaine, and eventually opened up her own shop. [ She'd be showing pictures of Chiori's outfits if she could, but she does not have any photos! ] I believe she was helping out a producer in a movie as the one in-charge of makeup and costumes. That was when she reached out to us.

[ Ayaka's also very happy that Cloud is involved in the topic, asking questions here and there. She's glad to be able to share a piece of her life with him, especially when it really is so exciting. ]

Ayato has gone to other nations before, I believe... I'm afraid there are some things as the he does as head of the Yashiro Commission that I am not privy to, but I do know that it was also his first time in Fontaine. [ The smile she ends up wearing because of that statement is a little sheepish. ] Yoimiya has gone to Sumeru, too. She was even with the Traveler at that time!

In any case, because Chiori wrote to us, we went to Fontaine to help from a cultural perspective, although it did become a vacation, as well!

[ Except for Ayato, anyway... Man is always working. ]