14 Maintain One's Calmness - (Short) Chapter 13.5

(Welt) : "So it all started when," Welt began, "this cheeky raccoon, right? She's always up to no good, snooping around, getting into stuff. One night, she's out doing her usual mischief, and boom, a dazzling came to her for some help."

(Welt) : Welt's getting into it now, gesturing with his hands as if painting the scene. "So, the star told the raccoon that a dragon in trouble, trapped somewhere deep and dark. Being the cheeky thing she is, instead of running off, she thinks, 'Alright, adventure time!'"

(Welt) : "And that," Welt says with a grin, "kicks off this wild ride of a raccoon teaming up with a fallen star to save a dragon. Like, how crazy is that?" The excitement in his voice makes it clear - this isn't just any story; it's a full-on adventure.

Venti was fuming. He had just listened to what he had been promised was going to be an epic tale, one for the ages, but it turned out to be the exact opposite of that.

It was bland, predictable, and frankly, a huge letdown. He didn't try to hide his disappointment.

(Venti) : "That's not even a good story! You lied to me!" He accused, his voice echoing a mix of betrayal and disbelief.

The accused, however, remained unfazed by Venti's outburst. He shrugged, a faint smile playing on his lips as he met Venti's gaze with a calmness that only seemed to infuriate Venti further.

(Welt) : "To me, it is. To you, it is not," he said simply, his tone carrying a philosophical weight that suggested this was more than just about a story.

The difference in their reactions didn't just tell a story about divergent tastes in storytelling but also about how people navigate the world around them - what they choose to value and what they decide to discard.

In the end, neither was right or wrong in the traditional sense, but it was clear that sometimes, what we seek in stories isn't always what we find, and what we find isn't always understood by others.

(Welt) : "Here you go. I owe you some," he said as he handed Venti a pouch of Mora, nonchalant about what Venti might do with it. "The procedure to meet the Acting Grand Master is really long, isn't it?" He muttered to himself as he walked away.

Peeking into the pouch, Venti's eyes widened at the sight of the Mora—it was packed!

This was way beyond what he expected. He could easily clear the tab he had running with Diluc and still have enough to splurge on a few rounds of drinks.

However, after giving it some thought and considering how suave Welt looked when he gave him the pouch, Venti decided to be a bit more responsible this time.

(Venti) : "I guess it's time to settle my debts with Diluc and maybe hit the road for a bit," he said to himself, a hint of excitement in his voice at the prospect of traveling around.

Welt was wandering here and there, but it looked like getting a meeting with Acting Grand Master Jean was going to be quite the wait.

With a sigh, he decided to step out of Mondstadt for a bit. The air outside the city walls felt different—freer, maybe—a good change of pace while he waited.

As he was lost in his thoughts, a sudden cheery voice caught his attention from behind.

(???) : "Mr. Yang! Any progress?" Her bright demeanor seemed to cast a little more light on his day.

She's a vibrant young woman sporting light pink hair that catches the light just right. And her eyes?

They're this striking mix of pink and blue, kind of like a sunset meeting the ocean.

She rocks a white top that's buttoned up with these flashy gold buttons, all neatly coming together with a sleek black choker.

Over all this, she casually drapes a loose overcoat that's a swirl of pink and blue, giving her this effortlessly bright vibe.

(Welt) : "Hey, March. And no, getting to meet with their leader has a lot of procedures. What about you? Any luck on your end?" He replied, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and hope.

(March) : March chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "Well, Stelle's been on a wild goose chase—more like a weasel chase, really. We managed to grab a pouch from a little animal, but not without turning into a mess herself." She gestured towards a woman who stood a little apart from them.

The woman was dressed in a striking ensemble: a crisp white inner shirt tucked into black pants, complemented by a black long-sleeved jacket—though its sleeves were rolled up.

Her outfit was further accentuated by a black tight skirt, and a light blue garter visible on her left thigh.

Despite the dirt and the disarray from the chase, there was an undeniable air of coolness about her.

Stelle, still catching her breath from the wild chase, approached Mr. Yang with an apologetic grin.

(Stelle) : "I'm sorry, Mr. Yang. It won't happen again. But look what I found instead." She reached into her pocket, pulling out a pouch brimming with gold coins.

(Welt) : With a gentle, understanding smile, waved off her apology. "It's fine," he reassured her calmly, his gaze shifting between the coin and Stelle.

Welt had a gold coin in his hand, Teyvat currency known as Mora.

(Welt) : "And it seems like the people in this world use this as currency." His voice was infused with a hint of curiosity and wonder, reflecting on this new discovery. "More is better, but then, too much can slow us down," Welt said, slipping the Mora back into his pouch.

(March) : "Alright, let's just wander around and pick up some info about this place," March 7th suggested. Dan Heng gave a silent nod in agreement.

And so, they set off on their journey, their adventures about to begin.

NOW, IN INAZUMA...

As we arrived and began to stroll through the streets of Inazuma, the vibrant colors of the city were a sight to behold.

The buildings were adorned with intricate designs, and the streets were bustling with activity.

(Paimon) : "Woah! This place is beautiful!" Exclaimed Paimon, her eyes wide with wonder. I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm.

It was great to see her so excited about our surroundings.

(Mizu as Gojo) : "It truly is," I replied, "but I can sense the air is slightly bitter." It was truly a beautiful place, I couldn't shake off a feeling of unease.

(Paimon) : Paimon looked at me with a puzzled expression. "Bitter? How so?"

(Mizu as Gojo) : "I don't know," I admitted. "It's just a feeling I have, knowing my friend Musashi has passed away. It's like there's something off about the air here."

(Paimon) : Paimon nodded, her expression thoughtful. "But there's nothing to worry about, right? We're just here to explore and solve any conflicts as we go, right?"

(Paimon) : I nodded, trying to reassure her. "That's right. We're just here to enjoy the sights and sounds of Inazuma."

But even as I said those words, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. Something was off about this place, and I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

As we continued to explore Inazuma, the feeling of unease grew stronger. It was like a dark cloud hanging over the city, casting a shadow over the beauty that surrounded us.

(Paimon) : Paimon seemed to sense my mood, and she looked at me with concern. "Is everything okay, Gojo? You seem a little on edge."

(Mizu as Gojo) : I sighed, trying to put my feelings into words. "It's just... Knowing that the Raiden Shogun, Ei, has declared a Vision Hunt like Kazuha said, I can't help but feel that the air is bitter. It's like there's a sense of fear and uncertainty hanging over the city."

It was a peculiar contrast to the vibrant landscape, and something I couldn't just overlook.

(Paimon) : Paimon nodded, her expression serious. "I see. That makes sense. It's hard to enjoy the sights and sounds of a place when you know that people are living in fear."

We walked in silence for a moment, both lost in our thoughts. I couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness for the people of Inazuma.

They were living under the shadow of a ruler who saw their power as a goal to reach her own.

But even in the face of such adversity, there was still beauty to be found.

The people of Inazuma were resilient, and they found ways to celebrate life despite the danger that lurked around every corner.

(Lumine) : "Come on, Gojo," The Traveller said, breaking the silence. "Let's keep exploring. Maybe we'll find something that will lift our spirits."

(Mizu as Gojo) : I smiled, grateful for her optimism. "That sounds like a great idea."

As Gojo took it all in, a fierce resolve sparked within him. He thought, 'I will make sure that the Shogun will pay!' The determination settled deep in his mind.

There was no way he was going to stand by and let this go on without a fight.

The thought of challenging someone as powerful as the Raiden Shogun might daunt others, but Gojo wasn't just anyone.

He was ready to step up and make a difference, set things right in Inazuma.

Thinking about Musashi really hits a different way. The guy stood toe-to-toe with the Shogun, knowing what he was up against.

Even though he ended up facing the ultimate price at the hands of the Shogun, what he did was far from a loss.

Sure, he didn't make it out, but the courage he showed? It lit a fire in everyone's hearts.

Despite the outcome, Musashi left people buzzing with hope, like a spark in the dark telling us that change isn't just possible, it's on the horizon.

Seeing someone lay it all on the line like that... It's a game changer. It makes you believe in the fight even more.