RONIN .

it was about what Kaeya expected, really. Beidou wouldn’t call him all the way over to her ship if what she caught wasn’t remarkable in any way. of course, he never knew with that woman, all he truly knew out of her letter is that it was a ‘treasure that had come through the storm’.

… whatever that meant. he’ll figure it out, though. like he always did. even if this one seemed to immediately distrust him - which was more than valid. while rare, he much rather preferred not to be trusted immediately, though it gained a nice advantage when he needed information or a favor.

“ oh don’t worry your pretty little head about that, I’ve known Beidou long enough to be familiar with her antics. “ his melodic voice rang out. while he would still like to hear a little more from Beidou herself about this one, it could wait for now.

                             “ well then, nice to meet you, Kaedehara Kazuha. “

“ you’re also from Mondstadt, yes? ”

going past the reoccurring scent, he could smell the gentle breeze and beautiful dandelions off of Kaeya. the kind that only could be from that nation. it was only a guess, but from what Beidou had told him about the land of freedom, that was Kazuha’s first assumption.

is this why she wanted them to meet?

“ pretty little head. . ? ” he’s going to look past that comment. “ nonetheless, if Beidou trusts you, then I will too. ” to a degree.

Kazuha leans back in his seat, crossing one leg over the other. He throws up his brows and tilts his head to the side while observing the Captain.

“ she told me a bit about you before your arrival, and I believe she intends for you and I to get along. I hope to explore Mondstadt and the rest of Teyvat after all, so I think this is her way of creating a “safety net” for me through you I suppose. ”

“ I said what I said. “

“ ʰ ᵘ ʰ ? ”

crimson eyes are locked on to the Favonian Knight that had been invited to the Alcor, and by its own captain no less.

sure, Beidou may trust this man from Mondstadt, but Kazuha’s senses practically twitch at the scent coming from him upon first eye contact. he reeked of frost and had the scent of a liar lingering on him. Kazuha thought it would be best if he kept this “Kaeya” at an arm’s length.

“ where.. am i.. “

“ it’s a hidden sanctuary of mine that I discovered when wandering Liyue. somehow I always end up back here when I’m troubled or lost. . .  it brings me peace, and I wanted to share it with you. ”

this so-called “sanctuary” was a tucked away overhang along one of the many beaches of the Geo Archon’s nation. it was sheltered from any rain or storms that could occur, and it was quite lush with greenery growing up along the underside of the rocky roof.